Stakeholders rise against incursion of foreign curricula,
writes FOLASHADE ADEBAYO

Some foreign kindergarten books, novels and instructional materials available online are the latest source of concern for parents and educationists. The educational resources, which are said to have homosexual undertones, are generating debates of morality and cultural acceptance.
Educationists, who spoke with our correspondent on
Thursday, expressed fears that such instructional
materials might soon be part of the curricula in some elitist schools in the country.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the
“offensive” materials were targeted at preschoolers and
pupils in both the junior and senior secondary school
grades. Some of the books include When Kayla was Kyle, It’s Okay to be Different, Mommy, Momma and Me, Who is in a Family?, among others. Others meant for older pupils include Conversations with God by Neale D. Walsch, Tango Makes Three by Justin Richard, as well as Heather has Two Mummies and A Tale of Two Daddies, both by Lesley Newman.
Our correspondent, who checked out Conversations with God online, found out that the author tried to answer questions from children, while posing as the voice of God. When a girl asked, “Why am I a lesbian?” Neale, answering the question, said it was because she was born that way, urging her to celebrate her differences.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, the
principal, Preserved Generation Schools, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, Mrs. Chioma Akin-Adekeye, said some of the books were being promoted by some popular international organisations.
According to Akin-Adekeye, the themes of the books are
not compatible with African culture, urging stakeholders to act fast before the materials arrive in the country. The educationist also noted that colouring worksheets and
drawing books from some foreign authors also have
homosexual underpinnings.
“These worksheets are on the Internet, from where 60 per cent of schools in Nigeria take them. School heads must supervise worksheets before they are sent home.
“Parents must make time to check children’s homework
and the sites they surf for materials. Religious bodies must also be involved. Nigeria must say no to the adoption of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum that an international organisation is trying to force down the throat of countries in the world,” she said.

Speaking on the issue, the President, National Parent- Teacher Association of Nigeria, Mr. Haruna Danjuma, said the practice of homosexuality was not consistent with the cultural and religious dispositions of most Nigerians. Danjuma, who said private schools were culpable, urged the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, the agency in charge of formulating and implementing policy on books and curriculum, to look into the issue.
He added, “According to our findings, only private schools have the tendency of bringing such books into the country. If the books are already in the country, I am sure they did not pass through NERDC.
“Besides the fact that such books are against everything
our country stands for, we at NAPTAN have always
wondered why some private schools do not consider the Nigerian curricula good enough.
“Why is it that these schools cannot use Nigerian
curricula? We have discussed this issue with the Ministry of Education repeatedly. For instance, these foreign books are not in the Nigerian curriculum. It was approved in a country and some of our schools have adopted their curricula. We have decided to table the mater again at our next national council meeting in Abuja.”

Danjuma also said that parents should pay attention to
what their children watch on television and the Internet.
He added that they should be aware of the music they
listen to and the books they read.
Attempts to reach the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Prof.
Ismail Junaidu, as well as Theresa Oresanya, the Head of Public Affairs, on Wednesday were not successful as their lines were switched off.

Meanwhile, proprietors in Lagos State have urged the state government to check the influx of certain learning
materials with the potentials of promoting homosexuality among pupils.
However, the Director General, Lagos State Office of
Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, has assured that no such books would be in use in schools in the state. Soyombo spoke recently at a stakeholders meeting with private school proprietors in the state.
According to her, the Nigerian curriculum is not inferior to any other one and should not be allowed to play second fiddle.
“I agree that such books are against our culture and I
would like to say that they will not find a place in Lagos
State,” she said.

http://www.punchng.com/education/parents-proprietors-rise-against-book-with-controversial-sex-education/

Hmm

Since threats and intimidations aren't working, the West has found a subtle way to pollute young minds under the guise of donation of educational books using international organization such as UNICEF, UNAIDS and co. Nigerian parents should be more vigilant especially those with kids in private schools that do not follow the government educational curriculum.