UK Government Ratifies Measures to Bar Anti-Evolution Groups from Teaching Creationism in Science Classes. (January 16, 2012)

The Observer's Jamie Doward reported yesterday that the UK's "Department of Education has revised its model funding agreement, allowing the education secretary to withdraw cash from schools that fail to meet strict criteria relating to what they teach. ".

The Department of Education's revised agreement, allows funding to be withheld or withdrawn from free schools* that teach what are claimed are "evidence-based views or theories" that are deemed "contrary to established scientific and/or historical evidence and explanations".

British evolutionary biologist and a vice president of the British Humanist Association, Richard Dawkins, told The Observer: "I welcome all moves to ensure that creationism is not taught as fact in schools; government rules on this are extremely welcome, but they need to be properly enforced... It is clear that some faith schools are ignoring the regulations and are continuing to teach myth as though it were science. Evolution is fact, supported by evidence from a host of scientific disciplines, and we do a great disservice to our young people if we fail to teach it properly. "

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the revision made good a pledge regarding the teaching of creationism given by Michael Gove, the current education secretary,  when in opposition, namely: "We will not accept any academy or free school proposal which plans to teach creationism in the science curriculum or as an alternative to accepted scientific theories," the spokesman said, adding that "all free school proposals will be subject to due diligence checks by the department's specialist team".

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*According to Wikipedia a free school is a school in England funded by the taxpayer, non-selective and free to attend but not controlled by local authorities. Free schools are part of changes by the Conservative-Liberal-Democrat coalition following the 2010 general election whereby it will be possible for parents, teachers, charities and businesses to set up their own school.