Creationism question raises questions of its own
A question on a GCSE paper has raised some questions of its own after people objected to the wording used – and it is over the controversial evolution-creationism debate.
The UK has been very resistant to teaching creationism as a theory with any form of scientific basis, with numerous studies and research pieces drawing the same conclusions that it should only be taught as part of religious education units and not as part of science courses. Hence, whenever creationism is mentioned in exams, coursework or textbooks, the context has to be made very clear.
However, it would seem that hasn’t been the case with this year’s Biology GCSE as set by the exam board AQA – with the question asking the student which definition matched up with the ‘theory of creation’ as in the Christian Bible. The big problem here is the use of the word ‘theory’ – the current understanding being that whenever creationism is described, ‘theory’ should never be used to refer to it as it has no basis in scientific fact.
AQA claim that the choice of words was poor, citing that they intended for the word ‘theory’ to be taken in the everyday, usual sense and not in the scientific and sometimes highly charged way it was taken. Perhaps they should have thought before they put it smack bang in the middle of a science exam?
Wherever your loyalties lie in the creationism v. evolution argument, this is surely an example of the exams trying to be all things to all people. If the topic of creationism wasn’t covered whatsoever, especially in a science exam, then the issue wouldn’t have arisen. I, personally, do not see why a biology exam needs to cover this topic, especially given the official guidance that it should only be covered in religious studies and related topics.
What do you think? Don’t hesitate to let us know!
Things to consider:| Paper Carrier Bags available here |
| Cheap Kipling Bags |
| www.londonluggage.co.uk Luggage Sale |
