The Roman Catholic Church in Barbados has described the recent controversial Computer Science pre-test administered to hundreds of first-form students in five secondary schools as a “sneak attack” on the nation’s children.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Roman Catholic Bishop of Barbados The Most Rev Neil Scantlebury said the inclusion of certain questions for impressionable minds was “simply unconscionable”, particularly without parental consent.
“And that’s what is so infuriating about this whole incident: the ‘sneak attack’ on our children.
“The survey contained questions that were also tantamount to an invasion of privacy and is just the latest salvo in the onslaught against family life. Parents have a right to be outraged by an attempt to usurp their role. This is a clarion call for them to reassert their God-given authority to form their own children. Parents, remain vigilant,” the head of the local Roman Catholic Church advised.
The survey, which was administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of a computer project, sparked a national debate because of the questions that asked about children’s sexual activity, drug use, gender identity, mental state, and home circumstances.
“Those children whose emotions and sensibilities were upset by questions on the controversial survey need from us adults a compassionate and, in some cases, a professional response. We trust that those who caused the harm are attending to this now,” Bishop Scantlebury said.
“What about those children whose honest answers might have left them feeling afraid and alone? They need to be assured that they are loved by God and us no matter how they might have answered.”
The church leader added that even some of the non-controversial questions had the capacity to cause hurt and feelings of inferiority.
He urged that necessary safeguards be implemented at all levels to avoid a repeat of the recent contentious survey.
“Those who wield power on our behalf must ensure their actions are protecting our children physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Ultimately, children need to hear that there are God-given boundaries in behaviour and that these are for their own good. We must be courageous enough to proclaim and defend that truth,” the senior cleric urged.
The IDB has apologised for including the controversial questions on the pre-test even though the Ministry of Education had asked that they be removed. However, the Ministry also took responsibility for not following up to ensure the questions had been omitted before the survey went out to students.
Bishop Scantlebury said this was an opportune time for schools to return to the basics such as prayerful morning assemblies and teaching values.
“Put God back into schools,” he advised.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
