After seeing the assignment for 7th graders, Daiva Žeimytė couldn't hold back: I want to ask the author of this 'masterpiece'

A recent geography assignment for 7th graders has ignited a firestorm of criticism across Lithuania, highlighting deeply problematic stereotypes about women's roles in various societies. The assignment, which asks students to match descriptions to portraits of women, has been widely condemned for its simplistic, demeaning, and factually inaccurate portrayals. Journalist Daiva Žeimytė-Bilienė has been at the forefront of this critique, expressing her dismay and demanding answers from the assignment's creators.

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7 klasės geografijos užduotis. Padėkite prašau man surasti šio „šedevro“ autorių. Noriu moteriškai pasikalbėti

Žeimytė-Bilienė, speaking to 'Delfi,' articulated the frustration felt by many: "As a woman, I would simply like to ask those authors: why do they perceive women's situation, women's rights in various societies and various countries in this way?" She pointed out the heavy reliance on stereotypes and manipulative narratives, arguing that such content is inappropriate for an educational setting. The journalist stressed that educational systems should provide fact-based information and foster critical thinking, not perpetuate harmful generalizations.

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I, as a woman, would simply like to ask those authors: why do they perceive women's situation, women's rights in various societies and various countries in this way? It is interesting why the statements are exactly as they wrote them, because there is a lot of stereotyping, a lot of manipulation of certain narratives, I would say. I don't think it should be like that.

The controversy has resonated beyond Žeimytė-Bilienė, with parents and educators alike voicing their outrage. One geography teacher admitted to simply skipping the problematic page, stating, "There are no words." The National Education Agency has acknowledged the issue, stating that publishers are responsible for the quality of educational materials and that they will be contacting the relevant parties. This incident underscores a critical need for greater scrutiny and sensitivity in the development of educational content, ensuring that it accurately reflects the complexities of the world and respects the dignity of all individuals.

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It is not necessary, perhaps, to think that anything can be given to children, and they have to figure out for themselves how it really is. It seems to me that the business of all education systems is to provide fact-based information, and if it is some kind of encouragement of discussion, then I, as a participant in the discussion, should have something to choose from and have a basis where I can look for information myself. Well, there should be no manipulation and stereotypes in textbooks.