Fundamentalists enraged over being required to teach science March 7, 2010 By Blogonaut 1 Comment
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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