In November 2007, a Gleaner exclusive revealed that a textbook titled CSEC Home Economics and Beyond (Management) presented same-sex unions as an acceptable family type.

The controversial clause in the book authored by Rita Dyer and Norma Maynard, reads: "When two women or two men live together in a relationship as lesbians or gays, they may be considered as a family. They may adopt children or have them through artificial insemination."

The ministry argued that the book was not on its approved list but educators countered by revealing that the book was roundly endorsed by the ministry at a workshop. Subsequently, the book was ordered removed by then education minister, Andrew Holness, who ordered a review of the books being used in school.

That review discovered another text with pro homosexual content that stood in contradiction to the ministry's policy position.

The book authored by Michael Keane and titled New Steps in Religious Education for the Caribbean Book 3 listed homosexual unions as the norm.

'normal' relationship

"Many people do find it difficult to accept that same-sex relationships are indeed normal," read the section of the book that caused ministry official to pull the plug on its support and distribution.

In February 2008, The Gleaner revealed that a primary textbook contained errors of fact. Three months later the ministry still did not have the book removed from the schools.

A month later, The Gleaner again revealed that literature books with curse words ranging from the f-word to the p-word, as well as, local expletives were being used in schools as Caribbean Examinations Council-recommended reading material.

Students were exposed to the explicit content from as early as grade nine. At that time, Holness pledged that the ministry would remove all books with expletives. However, he said, sixth- form students would not be barred from using these books.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com