UP Govt. to remove 'objectionable' text from sex education books

Lucknow, July 10 (UNI) Amidst protests by teachers and furore by the Opposition, the Uttar Pradesh government today announced that 'objectional' text from class IX and X Social Studies books pertaining to sex education would be removed and those found guilty of clearing the chapters for publication would be punished.

Members of the Opposition raised the issue through an adjournment motion in the state legislative assembly. BJP legislature party leader Om Prakash Singh said while the teachers were annoyed with the objectionable text, the officials of the state government ''were getting out of control.'' ''This is against Indian culture...the government must take effective steps,'' he added.

Naresh Agarwal (SP) also expressed similar sentiments and said aping the western culture would not help dissiminate adolscent education. ''The committee which approvedthe text should be punished,'' he demanded.

Pramod Tiwari (Cong) said the chapters contained words which he could not repeat before the house. ''What effect will it have on the children who are growing in this atmosphere,'' he added.

In his reply, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Lalji Verma said the governmenthas now decided to remove objectionable material from the course and has ordered a probe. ''The guilty will be punished,'' he added.

The minister said while the state government was serious about AIDS and its prevention, it would decide on the ways to dissiminate education amongst students, taking advice from parents, teachers and experts.

Meanwhile, the state government has withdrawn the Hindi version of a UNICEF handbook on AIDS and its prevention.

Yesterday, teachers had threatenedto burn the books containing the controversial material.

The state-level working committee of UP Secondary Teachers Association said it will set fire to books on sex education on July 21 if the government failed to withdraw these books.

''We suggest all District Inspectors of Schools (DIOS) in the state to withdraw books containing information about sex education.

If they are forced upon us, we will burn these books in all Education department offices,'' a letter sent to members of the committee across UP stated. The members of the committee who met here claimed books on sex education were not in accordance with the Indian culture.

According to committee chairman Om Prakash Sharma, teachers have strong objections against these books and are surprised that before including them in the course of aided schools, they were not consulted.

UNI