Politically correct teachers 'promoting' Islamic myths in schools, says Richard Dawkins

Professor Richard Dawkins argued that as a result teachers were promoting the 'mythology' of creationism over the science of evolution.

Professor Dawkins, a geneticist and author of the best-selling book The God Delusion, said: 'Islam is importing creationism into this country.

Richard Dawkins: 'Teachers are terribly frightened of being thought racist.'

'Most devout Muslims are creationists - so when you go to schools, there are a large number of children of Islamic parents who trot out what they have been taught.

'Teachers are bending over backwards to respect home prejudices that children have been brought up with.

'The Government could do more but it doesn't want to because it is fanatical about multiculturalism and the need to respect the different traditions from which these children come.

'The Government - particularly under Tony Blair - thinks it is wonderful to have children brought up with their traditional religions. I call it brainwashing.'

He added: 'It seems as though teachers are terribly frightened of being thought racist.

'It's almost impossible to say anything against Islam in this country because if you do you are accused of being racist or Islamophobic.'

According to the Koran, Allah created the heavens and Earth in six days.

Christian creationists also believe that God created the world in six days, as described in the Old Testament, and that Adam and Eve were the first humans.

According to evolution, we are the result of billions of years of gradual changes, shaped by the most advantageous genes and traits being passed from generation to generation.

Professor Dawkins, who holds the chair for the understanding of science at Oxford, called for evolution to be introduced into lessons from the age of eight.

Asked what should happen if parents do not approve, he said: 'For parents to deprive their children of an educational opportunity because of a traditional bigotry is unfair on the child.

'It is fine to teach children about scientific controversies.

'What is not fine is to say, "There are these two theories. One is called evolution, the other is called Genesis".

'If you are going to say that, then you should talk about the Nigerian tribe who believe the world was created from the excrement of ants.'

Evolution is taught at secondary school and ministers insist creationism is not part of the curriculum. The syllabus does, however, encourage its discussion.

Professor Dawkins's criticism echoes the concerns of Dr Rowan Williams who has said the creation story was not worth teaching alongside that of evolution.

The Archbishop for Canterbury added that classroom work should include the Bible only when 'discussing what creation means'.

The Royal Society, Britain's leading scientific body, has also criticised the teaching of creationist theories at some of the academy schools pioneered by Mr Blair.

It said: 'Young people are being poorly served by deliberate attempts to withhold, distort or misrepresent scientific knowledge and understanding in order to promote religious beliefs.'

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said teachers had the 'flexibility to tailor teaching to pupils' needs and aspirations'.