Fury rumbles over ‘satanic’ school course

Evolution is offered in next year’s curriculum

By CHANDRÉ PRINCE

Education Reporter

ANGER is growing over the introduction of evolution as a course in next year’s school curriculum, with religious groups and teacher unions fiercely opposing the move.

Opponents of the controversial decision by the national Education Department complain that no proper consultation went into the course material which, they said, borders on “satanism”.

There are now moves to pressure the department to review its decision to offer the subject as part of Life Science under the new Grade 10 and 12 curriculum in public and private schools.

Although the subject is not compulsory and the department has promised to present it in a “sensitive” way, it has sparked outrage.

Godly Governance Network provincial secretary Sipho Mengezeleli said the introduction of evolution was a revolution against God and Christianity.

Mengezeleli, who has started canvassing other religious organisations in an effort to mount a united front against the department, said: “This course is aimed at eroding God from people’s mind. It’s satanic by its very nature because it’s against creation and against God.”

Hindu Society chairperson Gino Vassan said the concept of evolution goes directly against Hinduism and should not even be an option. “We don’t believe in evolution – we believe in reincarnation,” said Vassan. “We would not want something that goes against our belief to be taught to our children.”

South African Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Mxolisi Dimaza and Congress of South African Students provincial chairperson Xolani Witbooi said government was imposing policies without proper consultation.

“We feel strongly that we can’t support any policy that will differ from God’s word,” said Witbooi, adding evolution would prove “confusing” to pupils and have detrimental effects on the country’s education.

The evolution content would focus on key areas, including:

l Biological evidence of evolution and populations;

l Fossils as evidence of ancient life;

l Origin, formation and development of species;

l Belief about creation and evolution;

l Family trees and evolutionary relationships;

l Darwin and Lamarck’s theories; and

l African perspective on evolution.

Not all religious leaders were opposed to the subject being taught; one said it was necessary to present other points of view.

“Evolution is not from God, it’s satanic. We teach it on a positive note so that learners know the theories of the world,” said Nicholas Mcoteli, pastor of Burning Bush Ministries and a founder of Faith Revival Christian School.

Penny Vinjevold, deputy director-general for further education and training, yesterday urged people to carefully scrutinise the subject content before over-reacting. She said extensive consultation had taken place in 2001 and 2002 when the curriculum was developed, and added:

“We’ve been sensitive to the views of various people and have attempted at all times to display the sensitivity.”

She added Life Science was not a compulsory subject and pupils would not be forced to agree with the course material presented on evolution.

“Different theories offer a variety of explanations on the origin of human beings and we are just telling children that evolution was one such theory.

“We are not forcing them to believe it; we are merely telling them that there are these beliefs out there,” she said.