Principals, Parents Denounce JSS Book on Abortion, Say Content Not Part of Curriculum

A post on X, formerly known as Twitter, has ignited widespread discussions over a Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) textbook that discusses abortion processes, family planning, and sexual health. The Classic Basic Science and Technology textbook for JSS3, authored by M. Abdussalam and others, describes various abortion methods, including Dilation and Curettage (D&C) and Dilation and Evacuation (D&E). The book, approved by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), has raised concerns among parents and school officials.

In the viral post, user Alex Onyia expressed outrage, describing the content as inappropriate for learners, especially in junior secondary classes. His post read, "This book is teaching JSS1 students how to do abortion with clear images. Parent wake up and save your children. NERDC approved this!"

Mixed reactions followed the post, with some agreeing that teenagers should be informed about sexual health to avoid negative consequences, while others viewed it as unnecessary and harmful content for young minds.

The All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS) and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) have condemned the inclusion of such content, stating that it is not part of the national curriculum. ANCOPPS National President, Musa Ibrahim, confirmed that investigations are underway and measures are being taken to confiscate the book from schools. He emphasized that topics such as abortion are not part of the curriculum for junior students, and only reproductive health is taught for examination purposes in senior classes.

The National Chairman of PTA, Haruna Danjuma, expressed shock over how the book found its way into schools and vowed to take the issue to higher authorities.