By IANS
Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh is all set to introduce sex education in its schools from Class 9, but teachers have threatened to burn the books, saying the material goes against Indian culture.
"The books on sex education supplied by the government should be promptly withdrawn," Om Prakash Sharma, chief of the secondary schools teachers' association, told reporters Monday.
"If they fail to do so by July 21, we will be compelled to make a bonfire of these books in public."
The working committee of the secondary schools teachers' association had met here Sunday evening. Members are unanimous that the books published for adolescent education are not in tune with Indian culture and traditions.
"The manner in which the courses have been laid out are bound to not only poison young minds but also become a source of embarrassment for teachers," Sharma said.
Under the state curriculum, the books were to be used in this academic session starting Monday. To be taught for a total of 16 hours in a year, the course was to be included in social studies and physical education classes.
"We have gone through the entire teaching material in detail and we are strongly of the view that it would be difficult for teachers to curb embarrassing queries from students once the material is put on display in accordance with the wishes of the government," Sharma said.
The association proposes to issue a circular to all its members to oppose the entry of the books and teaching material in their own educational institutions.
"We have decided to take this extreme step in the larger interest of both students and teachers," he added.
"If they are so desperate to include sex education in the curriculum, let them redesign the books and teaching aids."