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One-third of teachers back creationism in science syllabus

07/11/2008

At least one-third of teachers think creationism should be given equal status as evolution in the curriculum, according to a survey of over 1,000 teachers published today.

The poll also discovered that a third of schools already include divine explanation of the universe in their science syllabus, on the grounds that highly religious students would otherwise feel 'left out'.

In addition to finding that 30 per cent of teachers think creationism should be given the same attention as evolution, the survey also showed that 18 per cent of science teachers also believe this.

The Teachers TV poll caused much surprise among education leaders, especially given the controversial comments of the ex-director of education at the Royal Society, Rev Professor Michael Reiss.

Prof Reiss argued for the inclusion of intelligent design in lesson plans, a move that cost him his job.

The argument for such inclusion, however, is not always based in religious motives.

"Perhaps most telling is the fact that, almost nine out of ten teachers take the pragmatic view that they should be allowed to discuss creationism or intelligent design in science, if pupils raise the question" Teachers TV director Andrew Benthall said.

Atheist and secular groups have found the survey's results alarming as they mirror the large number of students who hold fundamentalist views.

But the poll showed that over 50 per cent of teachers did oppose the provision of creationism lessons, some of whom were strongly against it.