email to Desmond Swayne MP about Evolution and the Scientific Method

email to Desmond Swayne MP 27 March 2011

We met on 10 July 2009 to discuss the introduction of Evolution into the Primary school curriculum. You kindly wrote to Diana Johnson MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for Schools at DCSF) on this subject.

my blog: http://teachevolutionprimaryschool.blogspot.com/2009/12/from-2011-evolution-will-be-compulsory.html

I am writing as your constituent to bring to your attention two Early Day Motions which I am asking you to support.

EDM number 243 reads, “That this House notes the value and importance of science in the schools' curriculum; further notes the importance of the specific inclusion of evolution and natural selection in the schools' curriculum; regrets that evolution has been dropped from reforms to the primary school curriculum, along with other reforms proposed; further regrets the inclusion of creationist and other pseudo-scientific theories in the teaching of science in some schools; and urges the Government to ensure that all schools teach and promote science and the scientific method and to include the theory of evolution in the science curriculum at both primary and secondary levels.”

And EDM 185 reads,

“That this House congratulates the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the re-opening of the Ulster Museum; regrets that there is pressure to include creationism in the proposed exhibition of evolution and diversity; and believes that the teaching or promotion of religious beliefs should be separate from the teaching or promotion of science.” I am very concerned that government plans to give schools greater freedom over the curriculum may lead to less evolution being taught in schools and a greater risk that some schools, particularly ‘faith schools’ may try to introduce creationism into the science classroom. As evolution is arguably the most important concept underlying the life sciences, it is of paramount importance that it is included in the education of children of all ages. Providing children with an understanding of it an early age will help lay the foundations for a surer scientific understanding later on.

I urge you to add your support to EDMs 243 and 185.