The government has decided to introduce music education alongside regular academic studies from primary to high school level, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said today (31 March).

He said the initiative will be implemented through the Ministry of Cultural Affairs using a cluster-based approach under which music instructors will travel within upazilas to provide lessons in multiple institutions.

The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a programme organised by the US Embassy at Dhaka University.

He said the government has already taken a decision to expand cultural activities at the school level in every district and upazila.

He also said that while the Ministry of Youth and Sports arranges sports competitions, similar music competitions are being organised to promote cultural engagement among students.

Replying to a question about the cancellation of music teacher appointments at upazila and district levels during the interim government, the minister said music teachers were not available in all institutions and were mostly concentrated in district-level schools.

He said the interim administration, not being an elected government, was not directly accountable to the people.

“During that period, some good decisions were made along with some that, in our view, could have been avoided. However, I would not say those were intentional,” he added.

Responding to a query about whether this year’s Pahela Baishakh celebrations would be held under the name “Ananda Shobhajatra” or “Mangal Shobhajatra”, the minister said the government aims to uphold traditional values and cultural practices.

He also said that despite differences in ethnicity, identity, religion, caste and ideology, people in Bangladesh will continue to move forward in unity.