As public uproar over story books dealing with sexual orientation among primary school-aged children continued to mushroom yesterday, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly denied there were plans to include them in the school syllabus.
However, the assurance did little to stave off an online petition by angry parents who called for a total ban of such material on the national booklist.
But Gadsby-Dolly dismissed claims the Ministry of Education (MoE) intended to introduce any of the books into primary schools, as was being circulated online.
“I want to remind the population that as of September 2022, all principals were instructed that there are to be no changes to the school booklist.”
Gadsby-Dolly said this directive was in response to, “the population’s agitation on the fact that there were so many changes to (textbook) editions.”
With the end of the third academic term looming, she reiterated, “Principals were reminded in this term that there was to be no change to their school’s booklist and so the question that arises now of books being introduced in September onto the school booklist, that is simply not true.”
Regarding the books, which feature aspects of the LGBTQI+ community and which are currently on sale at RIK Services Ltd, the minister added, “These books that have been seen in RIK or wherever, they have nothing to do with the school booklist.”
Rubbishing other claims that changes were being made to the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum currently being taught in schools, Gadsby-Dolly confirmed, “There is no change in the curriculum, there is no truth to that.”
Regarding alleged claims that students were being taken to health centres for hormonal injections to be administered, the minister added, “Again, there is no truth to that.”
She shared what she too, had been privy to.
“I have heard someone speaking about teachers being trained to tell students about different genders and so on…again, we have done a lot of teacher training and we continue to do so, but none of our teacher training covers those issues at all,” she said.
She added, “I am not sure where these rumours are coming from but there is no truth to them.”
Meanwhile, T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Martin Lum Kin said they believe people have the right to buy or read whatever material they choose. “Once it does not contravene the laws of the country,” he said.
In response to the call for the public to boycott RIK Services Ltd over the books, he told Guardian Media consumers have the right and free will to patronise any business they wanted to.
Lum Kin said he was aware that groups had expressed concerns about the LGBTQI+ community’s influence.
“However, they are citizens of T&T and they also have rights,” he said, adding, “We have members who have expressed their concerns as well to the MoE. But we have to be as objective as possible.”
Lum Kin, however, said TTUTA was ready to act should it become necessary.
“If it comes up, we will consult our membership and see what are the concerns that they have.”
As far as TTUTA is aware, Lum Kin said parents were not being forced to buy the books as they were not on the school curriculum.
Regarding the petition circulating via social media, he said people have a choice to sign or not.
“All these are part of our democratic processes that TTUTA adheres to.”
The TTUTA head believes this issue will be addressed when the union and the MoE meet for their monthly meeting in the coming days.
When Guardian Media contacted RIK Services yesterday, its operations manager Ann Marie Harrinanan was said to have been engaged in a meeting, while the company’s general Manager, Mohan Baldeo, was reportedly at a conference.
However, in a release last evening, titled “Never judge a book by its cover,” RIK Services Ltd wrote, “Thank you for your interest and robust discussion on items that we stock.
“RIK Services Ltd. has served the interest of the public for almost half a century and is delighted to continue to do so. We stand by our commitment to bookselling to all members of the public; regardless of gender affiliation or identity. We do not discriminate. We are a bookstore with one of the widest selections in Trinidad and Tobago that caters to the needs of our diverse population. We appreciate and respect all of our valued customers. All are welcome to our stores.”
20,222 sign online petition
An online petition is calling for a ban on several books now being offered for sale at RIK Services Ltd. Using a photo of one of the books, titled “You are a Rainbow Too!,” as the backdrop, it had earned some 20,222 signatures up to last night.
It was launched by LADYD Moses, who stated, “Book will change the mindset of children at the primary level of their education. Parents will no longer have a say, which will be against human values. We must get many who are offended by this to take part in this action to ban this as they want to implement it for the new school term in September.”
Petitioner Kevon Young wrote, “Grooming children is paedophilia. … Just like you can’t buy alcohol until you reach 21, you can’t drive without a permit…you get that at 17, you can’t vote until 18, you get pension at 65. There is a age limit for a reason. Children, kids don’t care about sex, they just want to play but LGBT(P) knows adults are stuck in their way of thinking when it comes to gays but if they desensitised kids from young, the future will be gay because they see it as a normal part of life because of grooming, desensitisation and manipulation. Let the kids be kids and grow.”
Marylin Joseph wrote, “Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God for the sin of homosexuality. (Gen 19: 1-29) It was abomination then. And it will remain such until the end of time. God made perfect human beings. Male and Female period…anything else is displeasing in the eyes of the Lord.”
Reza Deonarine wrote, “Parents/Guardians have a right to protect their kids and teach what they believe is correct.”
