Gov’t Runs Away From ‘Sexy’ Syllabus -Says CSE Not Approved For Use In Basic Schools

The Education Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, says the government has not approved the much talked about Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) document for use by teachers in basic schools.

The government and United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) launched the CSE programme in February this year but concerns have been raised about the potential for pupils to be given awareness of sexuality and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues at too early a stage.

Already, groups like the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference have criticised the lack of consultation from the government in the matter.

The conference has vowed to reject the programme if it is indeed an attempt to introduce children to LGBT issues as suggested.

Backlash

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) President, Angel Carbonu, argued that more engagement from the government was needed to address the concerns.

But, addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh stated that the syllabus that has already divided the country particularly on social media has not been approved.

“The Ministry would like to state categorically that…the curriculum framework for KG-P6 that has been approved by Cabinet from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment [NaCCA] for use in the development of school curricula and published on NaCCA website does not include anything on Comprehensive Sexuality Education.”

The Minister maintained the National Council for Curriculum Assessment has also not submitted to the Ministry any document relating to the CSE which has invoked strong public sentiments.

He told journalists that the subject is not a component of the curriculum for the year which is already in motion.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh insisted that the training for teachers for the rollout of the curriculum this year, did not include issues relating to CSE.

When asked about the CSE guideline document making rounds and purported to be coming from the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Minister says as far as he is concerned, there is no document emanating from his Ministry and none, so far as he is concerned, has been approved for use anywhere.

He has urged faith-based groups and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to refrain from making comments on sensitive issues.

Who Lied?

Meanwhile, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one of the proponents of the CSE programme, has said the guidelines – the Minister has denied knowledge of – was developed by Ghanaian education experts.

UNFPA Ghana representative, Niyi Ojuolape, has questioned the criticism of the introduction of the CSE into the basic curriculum.

Critics fear the course content of the CSE programme resonate with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activism.

Many Ghanaians hold strong anti-LGBT sentiments.

The programme is being supported by the Governments of Sweden and Ireland.