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Evolution “problematic” for Orthodox Jewish ‘faith schools’
Posted: Mon, 17 Jun 2013
Government plans to place greater emphasis on evolution
in biology classes as part of its proposals to reform GCSE content have
been criticised for "causing problems" for strictly Orthodox Jewish
faith schools.
The criticism followed last week's
publication of subject content proposals for Biology by the Department
for Education. Under the new proposals students would be required to
describe how evolution occurs; evaluate the evidence for evolution to
include fossils; describe the work of Darwin and Wallace in the
development of evolution theory; and explain the impact of evolution on
modern biology.
Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle,
Michael Cohen, an adviser to Orthodox schools, said: "I don't see
Charedi [ultra-Orthodox] schools going along with it. It is something
that flies in face of their ethos and culture. It is clear this kind of
proposal is definitely going to create difficulties for Charedi
schools."
According to the Jewish Chronicle, modern
Orthodox schools feel able to reconcile evolution with Jewish teachings
on creation but Charedi schools regard it as opposed to traditional
doctrine. There is currently just one Charedi Jewish school in the state
sector.
Unconfirmed reports on the internet have
suggested that a question deemed unsuitable by Charedi teachers in a
GSCE science exam this year was blacked out for pupils who sat it.
Rabbi
Avraham Pinter, principal of the state funded Chasidic girls' secondary
school, Yesodey Hatorah, told the Jewish Chronicle: "sometimes Charedi
schools, if they find anything in the paper which could be offensive to
parents, advise children to avoid that question".
He
said that he expected Charedi concerns to be raised in consultations
about the reforms. "We are confident that the government will take into
consideration the educational priorities of parents and children of all
faiths, and ensure that this topic is covered in a balanced and
sensitive manner."
The National Secular Society believes the proposals could be problematic for other 'faith schools' within the state system.
Stephen
Evans, campaigns manager of the National Secular Society, said: "The
danger with faith schools is that religion can so often become a big
part of the educational provision. Many faith schools make a point of
ensuring that the 'religious ethos' permeates through all lessons –
including science.
"When scientific facts are
incompatible with the faith of the school, too often it will be the
children's education that is compromised, rather than the faith of the
school. Parents do have a right to educate their children in accordance
with their religious convictions, but the inclusion of faith schools in
our state education system results in the state becoming complicit in
the inculcation of children with religious beliefs – something the state
should play no part in."
Last year the Department
for Education announced plans to make evolution a compulsory part of the
primary school curriculum. The National Association of Jewish Orthodox
Schools has since lobbied the department for a rethink.
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