Tanzanian Education Minister Adolf Mkenda announced an immediate ban of popular series of children’s books from schools in the conservative East African country, claiming that they violate local cultural norms.

“The Diary of a wimpy kid” books were one of the books that Adolf announced on Monday to be banned immediately and that the government was monitoring libraries in both public and private schools to make sure they were not there.

“We are banning these books from schools and other education institutions because they contradict Tanzanian cultural norms and morals,” Mkenda said.

“Sex Education: A Guide to life,” is amongst the books that were banned that actually appeared to be pages from “An ABC of Equality” which included the terms transgender and LGBTQ.

It was not clear yet what content in the series of illustrated books by US author Jeff Kinney that follow the life of a schoolboy had offended the authorities.

“The books also violate the good practices of bringing up our children,” he said, calling on parents to inspect their children’s bags to make sure they did not have the books.

This is when President Samia Suluhu Hassan met student leaders of university and asked them to be careful with some “imported cultures”, without elaborating.

“If you are a Tanzanian, live in accordance with our cultures,” Hassan said.

Her comments followed remarks by a senior member of the ruling CCM party, Frank Haule, who claimed that same sex activity was rampant in universities.

“That practice is contrary to our cultures and is prohibited by religious books,” Haule said.

February 15, 2023

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