[Greens-Media] Rees govt turns blind eye to voodoo science in private schools

[John Kaye]

Rees govt turns blind eye to voodoo science in private schools

Media release: 16 October 2008

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth must act to ensure that all schools are independently monitored to ensure that they do not promote creationism as science, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story on page 10 of today's Sydney Morning Herald ('Monitoring of creation studies left to schools'), Dr Kaye said: 'While the state government puts limits on the teaching of creationism and so-called 'intelligent design' in science classes, inspection of the 50 NSW schools in the Christian Schools Australia (CSA) network is left to the organisation.

'The head of CSA, Stephen O'Doherty, is on the public record casting doubt on evolutionary theory.

'This is a classic case of putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

'An organisation whose leadership talks about 'an unexplained scientific hole in evolutionary theory' should not be in charge of scrutinising the implementation of the science syllabus. 

'The Rees government is deserting the future of the more than 18,000 students in CSA schools in NSW.

'Without a clear understanding of the scientific process and an ability to separate faith from evidence, young people will be deprived of successful careers in many important areas.

'State and federal government funding of CSA schools in NSW exceeds $120 million a year.

'NSW Education Minister Verity Firth has a responsibility to the children in CSA schools and to taxpayers to ensure that this money is spent  in accordance with Board of Studies guidelines.

'Self-regulation is inappropriate. Ms Firth should put the Board's inspectors into all schools in NSW, regardless of their affiliations. 

'The Minister must act soon. The alternative is to go down the US path where more than half of all college graduates have rejected science and embraced the young earth creationist myth," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000