The Catholic Bishop of Ho, Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu has expressed concern over the government’s unyielding stance to use the curriculum in schools to teach and propagate ‘unfortunate agenda’ at all cost, in defiance of public sentiments.
Referring to the recent attempt to introduce a Comprehensive Sexuality Education syllabus which prompted a massive public outcry, Bishop Fianu hinted that the government is now making subtle attempts to introduce a ‘Reproductive Health Education in Schools’ programme which, he said was no different from the previous one.
The Catholic Bishop of Ho was commenting on the theme of the 66th Speech and Prize Giving Day of OLA SHS, Ho on Saturday – Celebrating the Past, Planning the Future for Women in Decision Making – Realities and Opportunities.
He revealed that Catholic Bishops and other stakeholders were invited at short notice last week to an engagement on the new syllabus for the consideration of the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service.
Furthermore, he said that the topics to be taught from pre-school to SHS 3 under the new syllabus, was simply giving a new name to what already caused the outcry from a citizenry.
“I invite parents and people who celebrate the past of our educational system to think of what can be the content of subjects like, ‘Myself – Being male or female,’ proposed for Primary 1; ‘Understanding interpersonal relationships – types and forms’ in Primary 3; ‘Respecting Gender Differences’ in JHS 2; and ‘Gender and bodily autonomy’ in SHS 1,” Bishop Fianu said.
He added: “These and other topics whose content have not yet been discloses are of concern to us.”
The Bishop insisted that parents must have a say in what their children were taught in school, for which reason they must play a central role in planning for their children’s education.
“We should not leave that decision only to the government of few technocrats in the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service,” he maintained.
Still on the theme, Most Rev Fianu pointed out that while celebrating the past, it was also important to evaluate the present and look into the future with a firm determination to build on what had been achieved.
He sought to know if the values of the past which were cherished in most schools could still be found in the institutions today.
Bishop Fianu cited recent video clips on different social media platforms of SHS school girls smoking and SHS boys and girls dancing in ways “that left much to be desired,” saying that they did not testify to the high standards of discipline, moral and religious education, academic excellence and girl empowerment which the faith-based school were known for.
According to Bishop Fianu, the values of the past were eroding in a culture that wants to give credence to an ‘anything goes attitude’ in modern society.
“We as bishops also want to know what you, parents and teachers think about the realities of today and the opportunities for the future.
“I believe that together we can help to shape a better education front for the future,” he concluded.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
