EDUCATION ministers have been accused of being dismissive of a parliamentary report saying secondary science teaching is killing off interest in the subject.
Dr Ian Gibson, chairman of the House of Commons science and technology committee, said their response was insulting. His report on 14-19 science education was published in July and said science teaching at GCSE was “a disaster”.
The Department for Education and Skills response says: “The Government welcomes this report and it is pleased to be able to report progress in many of the areas identified by the select committee. We recognise that there is continuing work to create and maintain an innovative, inspiring and relevant science curriculum for all 14 to 19-year-olds.” It goes on to discuss initiatives such as the piloting of a new science GCSE.
Dr Gibson said: “It angers me that they can write such jargon. Government initiatives are scraping the surface of the problem. Young people are walking away from science in droves and more will do so.”
He said he was disappointed by ministers’ response on science technicians, whose “appalling” pay and conditions had been highlighted. “Their (the technicians) morale was lifted by the committee’s report,” he said. “But the Government has dismissed them.”
The committee has called school standards minister David Miliband to give evidence in a session in early November. Dr Gibson said he would ask the minister precisely how he would address the issues raised by the report.
A spokesman for the DfES said: “The Government has given a full response to the findings of the select committee.
“Ministers are going to be discussing with the select committee their findings but the government is not aware of any particular issues that they plan to bring up with the select committee. But there will be a debate on the findings.”
The Government’s response is available at www.parliament.ukparliamentary_committeesscience_and_technology_committee. cfm.
