The Ministry of Education has decided to remove controversial and inappropriate sections included in the Grade Six English subject module before distributing the textbooks to schools.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, stated that the relevant sections of the textbooks, which were introduced under the new education reforms, will be removed and that distribution to schools will take place thereafter.
It has been reported that more than Rs. 60 million has been spent on printing approximately 350,000 copies of the module.
The Secretary further confirmed that none of these textbooks, which are currently stored in warehouses in Colombo, have been distributed to schools to date.
He added that the remaining content of the textbooks will be released only after the removal of the inappropriate sections, and that a special set of guidelines will also be issued to inform teachers accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Convener of the Education Professionals Association, Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero, has raised serious allegations regarding the content of the module.
The Venerable Thero pointed out that one of the lessons directs students to search a website for further information, which he alleges attempts to promote homosexual activities.
It is suspected that the inclusion of these controversial sections may have been the result of a conspiracy.
In response to the issue, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the 31st, requesting a full investigation into the matter.
In addition, several teachers’ associations have also submitted complaints, following which the Criminal Investigation Department has already launched a comprehensive investigation.
