The LoveWorld Ministry of Information has raised concerns over the content of Nigeria’s educational curriculum, particularly the inclusion of sexuality-related topics in some school materials.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as the increasing sexualisation of school curricula, urging parents to take a more active role in monitoring the materials and lessons their children are exposed to in schools and through digital platforms.
Speaking at a Global Town Hall Meeting organised by the LoveWorld Ministry of Information in Lagos, participants including legal practitioners, policy experts, child advocates and LoveWorld representatives discussed comprehensive sexuality education, parental rights, curriculum development and international policies affecting children.
The meeting, themed “Delivering and Protecting Children Globally from Satanic Curriculums & Agenda,” also focused on the need for greater parental involvement in decisions concerning children’s education.
Legal Adviser to the Center for African Policy Research and Advisory, Sonnie Ekwowusi, alleged that some Nigerian secondary school materials contain lessons relating to homosexuality, lesbianism, masturbation, sterilisation and sexual orientation.
Ekwowusi urged parents to examine their children’s textbooks and raise concerns over materials they consider inappropriate, while identifying the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) as the body responsible for curriculum development.
The Executive Director of the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory, Dr Segun Adebayo, said many parents were unable to closely monitor their children’s education because of demanding work schedules.
Adebayo called for greater public awareness and parental participation in education policy, arguing that parents should have a stronger voice in determining what their children are taught.
Executive Minister of Education, LoveWorld, Dr Afolabi Oketunji, disclosed that the organisation was developing alternative educational materials and a curriculum it described as Christ-centred.
Oketunji said LoveWorld would also work with teachers and parents, stressing the importance of equipping educators with the appropriate curriculum and ensuring that parents understand what is being taught in schools.
Similarly, President of Family Watch International, Sharon Slater, called for greater parental involvement in children’s education and questioned the influence of international development assistance and donor funding on education and health policies in African countries.
International law expert Greg Slater argued that there was no international treaty requiring countries to introduce comprehensive sexuality education in schools, while Richard Kakeeto of the African Bar Association distinguished between legally binding international treaties and non-binding policy recommendations.
Meanwhile, LoveWorld’s Executive Minister of Children’s Affairs, Christine Okechukwu, announced plans to establish a Global Parents Forum and train more child advocates as part of efforts to strengthen parental participation in issues affecting children.
The organisation also plans to develop children-focused music, animation, games and educational materials, while speakers at the event urged parents to pay closer attention to the digital content their children consume.
LoveWorld said it would continue engaging government institutions, educators, parents and other stakeholders on curriculum development and greater parental participation in decisions concerning children’s education.
