Tanzanian has banned children books on sex education from schools. The government said the books violate “cultural and moral standards” of the country.
Some critics say the sex education books promote same sex orientations in schools. Homosexuality is criminalized in Tanzania.
In Tanzania, homosexuality is punishable by a minimum sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan had earlier called on student leaders to be wary of “imported cultures” from abroad.
“If you are Tanzanian, live according to our culture,” she told them.
Among the books banned is “Diary of a Wimp: Greg Heffley’s Logbook,” a series of American graphic novels that have sold millions of copies worldwide.
The government did not specify why it was targeting this “diary” featuring a teenager.
It however stated that there is an ongoing inspections in public and private school libraries to ensure that the books have been removed.
“We are banning these books from schools and other educational structures because they are contrary to cultural and moral standards,” Education Minister Adolf Mkenda told journalists this week in the capital Dodoma.
According to the government the first list of “unacceptable” books include a textbook on sex education and books mentioning LGBTQIA groups.
Source: Africafeeds.com
