Have some faith in evolution
Share
Have some faith in evolution
https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/have-some-faith-evolution
There needs to be acceptance of, not belief in, evolution taught in school science. Belief should be reserved for aspects of religious studies. If we do not accept evolution then we should not, by definition, teach any science as fact. Does Rupert Kaye object to science teachers “making children swallow as fact” gravity? We accept gravity due to the weight of evidence for it. We must also accept evolution due to the weight of evidence.
Where I do agree with Rupert Kaye is that children should be taught the importance of evolution. Our curriculum marginalises this central tenet of biology to such an extent that success in achieving the highest grades at GCSE and A2 can come with little to no study of this important scientific principle. Examples of evolution used in our textbooks are flawed and in need of radical updating. Our teaching of evolution is poor, to the extent that this is capitalised on by creationists who use misconceptions people have about evolution to suggest that the theory is inadequate and a lie.
By stating that one should “believe” in evolution, we accord this theory a status that it does not deserve - something almost akin to a religion.
Teach acceptance of evolution in school science and belief in creation in religious studies.
James D Williams
PGCE programme leader
University of Sussex Institute of education
Falmer
Brighton
You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get: