Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon says he is monitoring the upward trend for inclusion of LGBTQI+ content in the school curriculum in recent times, particularly from international agencies.
However, he is assuring parents/guardians that for now, their children are protected from such material by the Concordat, which is the contractual agreement between the denominational bodies and the Government.
During a conversation on the programme Shepherd’s Corner, hosted by Deacon Derek Walcott on Trinity TV on Thursday evening, Archbishop Gordon noted that the Concordat—an agreement made over half a century ago—remains an important barrier to curriculum changes.
“As long as the Concordat stands, these things cannot be taught officially in our schools. No book, or text, or curriculum can be introduced into a denominational school without the consent of that denomination, so we might actually be very important for the Government, who has been blocking this thing locally, but when it comes with international partners, it’s going to create a difficult space,” the Archbishop said.
In pointing to the potential dangers of foreign influence, Archbishop Gordon referenced a questionnaire administered by an international organisation quizzing children about their sexuality and gender identity in Barbados last October. He said it was “an extremely intrusive questionnaire about gender fluidity, masturbation, and other areas of sex education, resulting in major backlash.”
The Archbishop said he had been unable to find any evidence to suggest any such texts were currently being used in schools, but also took solace in Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly’s statement denying that there was any such plan in the works.
However, he still cautioned those in authority to be vigilant.
“If somebody has a book that was used inappropriately in a classroom or a questionnaire introduced to a child that’s inappropriate, please send it in,” he urged parents/guardians.
According to the Archbishop, new technology has also led to what he described as the “hidden curriculum.”
He added, however, that denominational education was in peril and steps were needed to preserve it. “Government needs to decide what it wants, if it wants an unnecessary fight with the boards, so be it. This is a fight I am prepared to fight with all other denominational boards.”
He also alluded to the troubling times on the horizon regarding the introduction of sex education in the school curriculum.
“The USA, the United Nations and others are putting pressure on Caricom to introduce comprehensive sex education. This will teach your child that his or her biological sex is not given; that each one could choose to identify as he or she likes.”
The Archbishop’s discussion on the programme came on the heels of polarising conversations in the public domain earlier this week, stemming from rumoured plans to introduce such an agenda in the school system, after images of books which feature stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTQI+) characters surfaced on social media.
Education Minister Gadsby-Dolly on Wednesday denied there was any such plan or that there will be any changes to the booklist or curriculum for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Archbishop Gordon also stressed that to move the nation forward to 21st century education, there was a need for partnership between the Government, the denominational boards and parents.
However, he said Government is yet to engage in conversations on the plans and propositions aimed at strengthening the education system.
The Archbishop also contended that there were solutions to the issue that the Concordat only allows for the selection of 20 per cent of students from the SEA list.
“If the Government selected 15 secondary schools in all parts of the nation and called them colleges and convents and spent the money to raise their standards to prestige schools, the problem will be solved or on its way to be solved,” he said.