Sex education manual, Kurti reacts: A hybrid war is being waged against the government
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Prime Minister Albin Kurti has reacted to the issue of sex education textbooks, after accusations that placing them in schools without consulting parents and respecting society’s values constitutes another failure of the current government.
In a video address on Facebook, he called recent discussions on the issue of MESTI’s use of the sex education manual a “wild propaganda campaign, with manipulative content and an attempt to create unjust causes.” Kurti said the sex education manual was never a curriculum, manual, subject or text for students, since it was written in 2016 when the Minister of Education was PDK’s Arsim Bajrami , and was approved in 2020 when the Minister of Education was Hykmete Bajrami from LDK, and in August 2023 it was published on the MASHTI website and not in November 2024.
“Not interested in the complete truth and criticism in the service of improvement and progress, representatives of political parties, pretenders to the identity of political parties and commentators who could target politics, have resorted to to attacks on the government, presenting themselves as the guardians of politics. Each of their claims has been proven false,” Kurti said.
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He thanked parents and individuals for raising concerns, saying they would consider revising the content of the sex education textbook if it did not meet educational standards. “The hybrid war against our government and our state has intensified like never before. Today, information must be subjected to factual and logical verification and critical thinking. For all the true and accurate data you have need, public institutions and government ministries are at your disposal,” Kurti said.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Education took on Friday the decision to abandon the use of teacher’s manuals and their revision, in which case the parties concerned, including the Kosovo Parents Council, will be invited to the competent committee.
How can the government ensure that the content of sex education materials aligns with local cultural values while still providing comprehensive education to students about sexual health and safety?
Q1: As two knowledgeable individuals, what is your take on the controversy surrounding the use of sex education manuals in Kosovo schools? Do you think it’s essential to have such materials in schools, and if so, what approach should be taken in their implementation?
Q2: There has been significant backlash from parents and political parties regarding the content of the sex education manual. What do you think are some of the key issues with the current content, and how can they be addressed in any future revisions?
Q3: Prime Minister Kurti has defended the government’s handling of the situation, claiming that the manual was not meant to be implemented as a curriculum. Do you believe that his explanation is enough to appease concerned parties? Why or why not?
Q4: The Ministry of Education has decided to abandon the use of the manual and revisit its content. How should this process be handled to ensure transparency and involvement from all stakeholders, including parents and educators?
Q5: In your opinion, what role do political parties play in shaping education policy in Kosovo, and how can we strike a balance between meeting societal values and maintaining academic standards?
Q6: The issue of sex education has sparked broader discussions about the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking in today’s information landscape. How can we promote these skills amongst students and ensure they become media literate individuals?
