A new controversy has been steadily simmering over the past few weeks on social networks and the media regarding a set of books presented to the Ministry of Education by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) for eventual distribution in schools. This set of about 100 books reportedly explored the theme of sexuality and transgender issues and the relationships facing individuals and their families in a supposedly diverse and open society.
Primarily, the donation was intended to raise awareness and serve an educational purpose. The books were supposed to serve as tools, among the many others that schools generally provide, tools our children could avail themselves of in preparation of the many challenges they would ultimately face in the future.
The contentious altercation reached such proportions that, at one point, groups were sprouting on the social media and thousands of signatures were allegedly bandied collected. What had perhaps initially seemed like an educational campaign with good or, as some insisted, ‘dubious’ intent, turned into an almost sordid squabble with threats flying all around.
Suddenly, seeing that things were getting out of hand, the Minister for Education (after many smiles during the MGRM presentation) unceremoniously declared that no such books would be distributed in schools.
My point here is not whether the books should have been distributed in schools or not. Neither shall I explore our tolerance (or lack of) to differences in our society or the way we handle disagreement or dissent. I will leave that to eminent anthropologists.
My angle is a purely political one. Essentially, the MGRM book debacle is symptomatic of one unequivocal problem. It all boils down to this government’s disdain for consultation with the parties involved before decisions are taken.
This dearth of communication and willingness to consult has pervaded many sectors throughout these two and a half years of Labour administration. This government has taken a unilateral approach when it comes to govern that many of us are unaccustomed to.
There have been many instances where stage-managed consultative processes were merely talking shops
Ironically, this is the same party that, in Opposition, had poured so much scorn on the PN’s consultative willingness such a short while ago. This Labour administration promised to listen and indeed trumpets such a policy every now and then.
In reality, all this is proving a mere cliche and the fruits of expensively packaged sound bites. There have been many instances where stage-managed consultative processes were merely talking shops. A classic example are the new Mepa policies and the divisive break-up of the institution.
Our Prime Minister has even gone so far to announce that on the issue of embryo freezing he will have none of it and intends to steamroll ahead “come what may”, as he himself declared. (The Prime Minister never misses an opportunity to remind us of his ‘unassailable’ nine-seat majority in Parliament.)
But back to the ‘banned’ books calamity. Clearly, the different sides involved in the story had their own ideas and agendas. The whole affair was crassly managed and, apparently, little thought was given to the fact that such sensitive issues require the meeting of minds.
One asks, why did the Ministry for Education with all its trusted mandarins do away with consulting with the parent teacher associations or, maybe, the teachers’ union?
For if they did, where are the opinions and/or concerns expressed by teachers and parents?
The least that is expected in such a sensitive issue is to feel your way around before presenting the decision to distribute the books as a fait acomplit. Clearly, some form of consent was expected, especially where very, very young children are involved.
Alas, this is not in Labour’s style of governance. Over and over, this government throws a pitch and waits for the people’s reaction.
In a cynical and calculating fashion, it gauges the response and cooly acts accordingly.
This is no way for serious governance. Malta is being governed by populist sentiments influencing an administration interested only in electoral outcomes and positive averages. A sad affair indeed for this country!
info@carolinegalea.com
Caroline Galea is a Nationalist Party candidate.