Written question WQ93326
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Education
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to prohibiting the promotion of creationism in schools in Wales, as is the case in England?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Education
Within the Curriculum for Wales, Religions Values and Ethics (RVE) is objective, critical and pluralistic. Schools are legally required to ensure that the teaching of RVE is pluralistic. This means teaching must be factual and where schools explore specific beliefs or views this must include a range of other faiths and non-religious views on the issue.
As part of Science and Technology, schools are required to teach science including evolution at an early age to help lay the foundations for a better understanding of wider scientific concepts. The Science and Technology Area is concerned with learners critically interrogating evidence through a process of inquiry.
Teaching creationism as a scientific theory is therefore not permitted within the requirements of the Curriculum for Wales.