Unbeknownst to most South Australians it has been possible, until very recently for independent Christian schools to teach creationism as part of the science curriculum. That sad and sorry state of affairs has been altered. The South Australian Non-Government Schools Registration Board has made a policy decision to remove the teaching of creationism from the science curriculum. It can still be taught as part of …say… a class on RELIGION!
Under policies published in December, the board said it required ”teaching of science as an empirical discipline, focusing on inquiry, hypothesis, investigation, experimentation, observation and evidential analysis”.
The board said it ”does not accept as satisfactory a science curriculum in a non-government school which is based on, espouses or reflects the literal interpretation of a religious text in its treatment of either creationism or intelligent design”.
But of course the persecuted Christian brigade is up in arms fearing this as being the thin edge of the wedge and that other states may follow.
he chief executive of Christian Schools Australia, Stephen O’Doherty, said the board statement was too strident, removing the right to teach ”biblical perspectives” as part of science.
He said the policy set a precedent which might be taken up in other states, including NSW, where the issue had been the subject of intense debate two years ago.
So a win for science and better education of our children regardless of their religion.
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Finally some common sense.
Science and Religion are never compatible and nor will they ever be, anyone who suggests that Science and Religion can work together clearly has a very poor scientific understanding.
I would love to see an Exam question like,
"Approximately how old is the earth?
A: 4.6 Billion Years
B: 6 Thousand Years
C: All of the above"
Thanks Sean.
Thanks Dan too. I hope you don't mind but I've nicked your exam question for my blog.
Good news. In the UK I think they 'discuss' the concept of intelligent design as an alternative viewpoint to the big bang but don't go so far as to teach the biblical bollocks of creation.
I was educated by at a catholic college and science was science and creation was in the religion class.
Can 'Intellent Design" be taught in state schools in states other than S.A. in science class? That's really scary in 2010. I mean isn't science supposed to be science? There cant be room for supersition to be taught as science, can there? Please no no no. Good on SA taking the plunge. The other states have to follow. NOW…
I was under the misguided understanding that all schools regardless of religious had to comply with a secular science curriculum.