PAPUA NEW GUINEA CHRISTIAN LIVING SYLLABUS

It was pleasing to read the report in the Post Courier of the Christian syllabus prepared by the Papua New Guinea Department of Education.

Secretary Mr Kombra announced the new syllabus was before the printers. It will take students from elementary grades to grade 12.

It may be that elementary students will be a little too immature and limited to hygiene, nutrition and helping mummy and daddy. 

The intellectual growth of children does not allow abstract thinking among young boys and girls. What is responsibility? What is gender? A small child would have no idea.

There will be Christian non-denominational message that is relevant to all faiths according to Mr Kombra.

We remind Mr Kombra of the Personal Development curriculum now in place that takes students from grades 5 to 12.

It focuses on the needs, rights and responsibilities of family members, marriage, family planning, domestic violence, tolerance, gender equality, self esteem, and family members as role models and mentors.

There is focus on reproduction, contraception, abortion, values, culture and social needs.

There is only one major criticism I would make of the book used by the Department of Education and written by Kenneth Roush entitled Personal Development.

There is too much of a broad brush approach on so many aspects relevant to living in Papua New Guinea. So much information could serve students when they become adults, married with children.

There are PNG matters related to marriage, choosing a husband or wife, importance of the nuclear/extended families, gender violence, bride price, sorcery, child abuse, age of consent, gender equality, faithfulness in marriage and honesty with household money

There are many issues on HIV/AIDS that are crucially important but ignored. Students could learn of the paths of HIV infection, treatment of a raped woman, AIDS test for a pregnant woman, 

Then there are the issues of an HIV sufferer smoking and abusing alcohol and home brew. dangers of a pregnant and breast feeding woman smoking and drinking alcohol. polygamy and the extreme peril of gay anal sex.

As well, there needs to be focus on the difference between HIV and AIDS, symptoms, antiretroviral drugs, first and second line ARV medication, discipline in medication, nutrition with fruit, vegetables, grains and nuts, exercise and dangers of default in medication.

Then there is AIDS dementia, brain damage from dehydration, hallucinations, delusions and fears of evil spirits, co-infection with tuberculosis, loss of memory, weight loss and AIDS death.

It is important to focus on family, self esteem, gender equality, tolerance and respect in marriage and support of nuclear and extended families.

We do not focus on same sex marriage as this is not part of PNG culture. We promote the dangers to young people of exploitation by foreign and national paedophiles.

We refer to underage street kids and sex workers. We promote the love and support of families for LGBT children. We count them too.