Education minister hits out at ‘culture of fanaticism’ around LGBTIQ+ books

Education minister Evarist Bartolo has accused critics of the government’s plans to distribute LGBTIQ+ themed books amongst state primary schools of “fostering a culture of fanaticism and intolerance”.

Speaking in parliament during a debate on the Budget for 2016, he insisted that the books’ critics will not stand in the way of the government’s plans to promote diversity and inclusivity.

“I will not let the book controversy deviate us from the real problems, which is that a lot of children at schools suffer homophobic bullying and that LGBTIQ+ adolescents are committing suicide because they feel discriminated against,” Bartolo said. “People who are currently critcising the books are creating a monstrosity that doesn’t exist, and many of them haven’t even read the books.”

The Malta Gay Rights Movement in July donated a set of LGBTIQ-themed books to the education ministry for distribution in set primary schools. However, the news was met by an uproar amongst parents and teachers who warned the MGRM was trying to “indoctrinate their children”.

A Facebook group “Parents and teachers against gender indoctrination of our children in schools” was set up and has garnered 6,382 followers at the time of writing.

Earlier this month, Evarist Bartolo took a step back and insisted that the books would not be distributed to students, saying that he “doesn’t blame parents who have expressed concern on this matter”.

However, last week civil liberties minister Helena Dalli insisted that the government still intends to distribute the books amongst schools, following a widespread information campaign, a stance that appears to have Bartolo's full backing.   

“While we don’t intend to indoctrinate children, we want to foster a culture of diversity whereby people accept other people as human beings. New cultures must be fostered at schools," the education minister said in Parliament.

‘Towards the digitalisation of education’

In his speech, Bartolo highlighted the government’s multi-million plans to further invest in the digitalisation of the education system. These include updating the laptops of 4,600 teachers, granting laptops to LSAs and kindergarten assistants, and installing interactive whiteboards across all schools.

Moreover, each classroom will have its own laptop connected to the interactive whiteboard, so that teachers don’t have to waste minutes switching on their laptops at the start of every lesson.

78 projectors will be updated, 3D printers and 3D scanners will be installed in school laboratories, students will be instructed on what it means to be a “digital citizen” and an e-learning school platform will be launched for parents.

The government will also invest €200,000 in educational robotics equipment.

“Unfortunately, our educational system is still far too heavily based on children sitting down in class,” Bartolo said. “Ideally, students use as many of their senses as possible in education, and robotic equipment will certainly help them in that regard. It has been proven to improve mathematical skills.”