The Editor, Sir:

In recent weeks, we have heard of books being recalled upon the prompting of parents. In one instance, they were upset over one book citing a homosexual relationship as one of the types of families, while other books have indecent language in them. It is with great concern for the Ministry of Education's policy on the recommendation of textbooks for schools that I have decided to pen this letter.

My questions to the minister are: Who vets books before they are approved to be on the list of recommended texts? Is there a committee? What is the procedure? What is involved in the vetting process? It is quite telling on the ministry if parents are raising 'bangarang'.

Indecent language

It shows that the parents are vetting their children's books after they are in the hands of their children, and the other way around for the ministry.

In relation to indecent language, we should all remember that it is still against our law. So, when we have indecent language in our textbooks for our children, what are we promoting? What are we subconsciously saying, especially to those under 16 years old? Others may say, why complain about what is said in a book, these children hear indecent language every day around them, even from their own parents.

The point is the ministry needs to go back to the drawing board and ensure that books being recom-mended are in conformity with the issues we in society hold dear as moral and upright.

I am, etc.,

LUCIANA RAMSAY

lusyrams2001@hotmail.com