00:00A social studies textbook is at the center of renewed controversy after a parent posted a viral video questioning why
00:07a playway chart appeared in one of its chapters.
00:10The parent criticized the content, arguing it was inappropriate for primary school students and questioned its educational value.
00:17I picked up this school book and I started to go through the school book, mind you, $100. And when
00:24I came to page 49, besides all the rest of nonsense I have in the book, because it has a
00:29whole lot of nonsense in this book, that I don't, I don't, if you're teaching social studies, you need to
00:33really teach them social studies and I don't know what to teach children now.
00:36But anyhow, here on page 49, I see a playway chart. If somebody could tell me why my son or
00:49anybody's child need to know about playway.
00:51The textbook in question is Trinidad and Tobago Social Studies 101, Book 3, written by Kevin Jeanville.
00:58Here we have this social studies book and they're basically teaching children, when I read what it is they're presenting,
01:06that playway is a part of we call it here.
01:11Now, gambling is something wrong and very moral that destroys family, that destroys family homes. That isn't presented in this
01:19book here.
01:19Because if you don't want to present playway and you want to show children about playway, you need to show
01:23children the disasters of what damaging does, how damaging it is.
01:29Following the video circulation, TV6 contacted the book's publisher, Caribbean Tutoring Publishing Company Limited, which said the issue had already
01:37been addressed several years ago.
01:39The publisher explained that the page featuring the playway chart was removed approximately five years ago, after similar concerns were
01:47raised and was replaced with content considered more appropriate and universally accepted.
01:52Here I am with page 49. This is the correct edition.
01:59This, the dishes, right, represent what in context.
02:09According to the publisher, the edition containing the playway page was withdrawn.
02:13However, it believes a small number of older copies may have inadvertently remained in circulation, resulting in one ending up
02:21in the parent's possession.
02:23The publisher also displayed what it says as the current edition of the textbook, showing that the controversial page has
02:29since been replaced.
02:31TV6 also sought a response from Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath on whether the ministry is aware of the matter
02:37and if any review of textbooks currently in use will be undertaken.
02:41However, up to news time, no response had been received.
02:45Ravishita Wari Ruknarein, TV6 News.
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