The book, an excellent text save for an inappropriate chapter, is on the lips of everyone after the news media wrote about the offending content of the chapter. The chapter, as discussed elsewhere in this publication, explicitly discusses sex issues. It is our view, as has been the view of many a parent, that the content of this particular chapter is inappropriate. Topics covered under this chapter are inappropriate in that authors and teachers have to grapple with the problem of simplifying terms, some of which they are uncomfortable discussing with children. For example, how does a teacher explain 'masturbation' or better still, 'bestiality' to a starry eyed 13-year-old Form Two student? It is clear from investigations conducted by The Monitor that the publishers and authors of the book are not the ones at fault here. For any textbook to be prescribed for use in schools, it must satisfy all Ministry of Education and Skills Development's requirements and guidelines. The ministry gives a point-by-point guidance, such that any deviation would inevitably disqualify the book. A number of questions arise from the fact that the book in question is a prescribed text. Who are the gatekeepers responsible for the curriculum? Why did the ministry see it as necessary to teach children these things? The book has been described as a core-book. How did that happen? We would want to believe that given the number of publishers in the country, most of them would have tendered once the tender for the book was floated. Sadly we can only assume that the best, among the books tendered to the ministry, was the one chosen, in this case Diamond's A New Start. Furthermore, we would assume that there would be a number of processes or committees along the way to ensure that the book meets the standard before it can finally be approved. We also want to believe that any supplementary books that are used for the subject will similarly follow the same ministry guidelines. As such A New Start would not be the only book that explicitly discusses issues sexual. This is because all the companies bidding would be acutely aware that any deviation from the instructions given by the ministry would not win them the tender. So, on the basis of this and having a copy of the guidance we can safely conclude that any blame and any complaint against the content of the book should be put on the Ministry of Education. It is heartening, however, to note that Education Minister Pelenomi Venson-Moitoi appreciates this reality. Truth is what the nation needs, and for her to admit that the problem does not lie with the publishers but with her own ministry and employees is commendable. It may not be enough to erase the bad image that many of us have had of Diamond Publishers, but it will go a long way in helping the rest of the nation to appreciate the issue and indeed see Diamond Publishers in its true light, that is as an obedient messenger who unfortunately got stoned for delivering the message. We can never say "Sorry" enough to take away the hurt to the persons who own and manage the company or to the image of the company.
However, it is our firm belief that in its quest for an educated Botswana, Diamond Publishers will be heartened by this admission, which, we believe, is representative of many of our readers and indeed teachers, and shall continue to produce quality books for our children.
