Groups oppose family values and health literacy module

Several groups have objected to a government-backed family values and health literacy module, saying it leaves out important health topics, LSM reported.

The proposed curriculum is organised around four themes: “Family and its development,” “Me as a person: identity,” “Relationships” and “Family and society.”

Iveta Ķelle, chair of the board of the Papardes zieds association, said she was puzzled by references to “many languages of love” and other new concepts. She said she had not encountered them in UNESCO or World Health Organization guidelines, though they might have some basis.

Aleksandrs Lange, a board member of the association of history and social studies teachers and head of Babīte Secondary School, said the group had been invited in early August to discuss introducing the module in schools during the current academic year. It strongly opposed the plan, he said.

“We first need to understand whether our teachers can discuss these issues, and whether there is enough methodological support to help them build a dialogue with students,” Lange said. “Only then should we start talking about implementing such a module. Will this solve demographic issues? In my view, this is absurd. Absurd in its very essence.”

Public organisations said they had only four days to submit objections and comment on the report before it was considered by the government on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Education and Science said no new curriculum was being created. Students already study health-related content, which the ministry plans to bring together in a clearly defined module. It said the content had yet to be developed and that teachers, experts, doctors and others would be involved. The ministry also promised a gradual rollout with methodological support.