Teachers want creationism in the classroom

Nearly a third of teachers, who responded to an email poll for Teachers TV, think creationism or intelligent design should be given the same status as evolution in the classroom.

The findings of the Teachers TV poll of 1200 primary and secondary teachers have shocked some scientists.

Of the 248 science teachers who responded, 18% agreed that the two should have equal status.

Dr Adam Rutherford has expressed serious concern over the findings.

The evolution expert, who writes for the journal Nature, told Teachers TV News that science teachers with those views need retraining or should be taken out of the classroom if they refuse to change their opinion.

Earlier this year Professor Michael Reiss was asked to leave his job as director of education at the Royal Society, after he made controversial comments on creationism.

The biologist, and Church of England Minister, said it should be discussed in science lessons if pupils raise the subject.

According to the Teachers TV poll, almost half of the respondents agreed with Professor Reiss' sentiment that excluding alternative explanations to evolution is counter-productive.