Decision reversed on ‘sexbook’ — good move by Ministry

The Education Ministry’s decision portrays maturity and responsible leadership...We do hope, that in the future, such contention would be avoided by the relevant authorities ensuring that there is wider consultation before arriving at conclusive positions on sensitive issues. At about noon last Monday I was informed by the principal of the Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, Mr Omar Ali, that the Ministry of Education had decided to have the publishers remove the highly offensive graphic sex illustration in the Hodder Science textbook. The controversial book is among those recommended by the Textbook Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Education for Form One students. Minister Hazel Manning and her Education Ministry must be commended for reconsidering, their previous position to “stick with the book” in its original form, despite principals’ protest. Their latest position reflects a good sense of maturity, and indeed responsible leadership, which must be admired.

Irrespective of who thought that the textbook with the disturbing illustration was used somewhere abroad, the reality is that our nation is under a virtual siege, with sexual troubles mounting at a frightening rate in our schools. The situation is extremely sensitive and volatile. The last thing we need now is any apparent endorsement, legitimising or acceptance of pornographic type literature in our schools. On Sunday May 18, media reports indicated that principals of denominational schools had vociferously expressed their displeasure with the illustration in the science text which portrays a man and a woman both stark naked and actually engaged in the act of sexual intercourse. Of course, the alert principals immediately saw the danger this posed to what they had been desperately attempting to achieve in their schools, in terms of moral character development and responsible sexual behaviour. Their protest was therefore an expected reaction. The initial reply came from the Ministry of Education the following day, May 19.

Under the caption “Ministry stands firm on sex text,” one newspaper reported that although there was a recognition on the Ministry’s part that the illustration is the book “may create a measure of controversy,” the book itself “could not be faulted on sound scientific principles.” Last Saturday (May 25) this column addressed the issue under the caption, “Textbook or sexbook? Sex Education could backfire.” That piece strongly condemned the recommendation of the textbook. The point was made that if this was an indication of the Ministry’s direction in their planned sex education programme, then we were in for a lot of “perversion” and “big big trouble.” But as we now see, a very level-headed move by the Minister of Education has considerably allayed these fears. In her role as Education Minister, I think Mrs Manning has largely displayed a sober mind and a level head. In this light, I myself had found it a bit strange that such a clearcut case had drawn a response as adamant as the Ministry’s initial release. Nevertheless, Monday’s change of heart was not only remarkable, it was further enhanced by the Education Minister’s direct call for schools to observe a day of prayer. We all know one day of prayer cannot solve our schools problems. But coming from the Minister of Education, such an exhortation, encouraging a prayer focus, will most certainly go a long way in many respects.

On the issue of sex education in schools, we know, as I noted in last week’s column, this remains quite a serious and sensitive matter, which requires consultation wider than a mere committee. The churches and denominations should have a direct input, so as to avoid a repeat of the kind of contentious differences which have resulted from the decision of “a committee” in the case of the controversial science book. While we appreciate committees, such a unit comprising people only of one particular ilk, persuasion or mindset — let’s say the liberal or secular humanist — would do no good. While the conclusive position of such a committee may appear to have followed “due process,” the fact remains that the views expressed would effectively represent a type of sub-culture perspective. Balance would be absent and conflicts will be a natural consequence.

This is often the case when there is a team of decision-makers comprising certain “experts” who represent only a lopsided, prejudiced viewpoint. The so-called intellectual, scientific and secular, without a moral and spiritual balance, is bound to result in huge trouble. And, by the way, I don’t think we do justice by implying that only denominational schools are conscious of the importance of values education, and do emphasise same. Many other schools do. For example, I had the opportunity to listen to Mr Glenn Khan, Principal of the Couva Government Secondary School as he addressed an audience of parents last Tuesday. His views on value-based education in schools, the approach to sex education and the root cause (from a practical perspective) of much of the behavioural problems among students in our schools today, were certainly worth attentive listening. There is hope for our education system but we must be determined to stick to level-headed approaches.