[GA - Passed] Promoting Natural Sciences In Schools

[mcmasterdonia]

Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools
Category: Education and Creativity | Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Kenmoria | Onsite Topic
​

The General Assembly,

Aware that all children deserve a balanced and varied education covering different disciplines, in order to gain a wide breadth of knowledge,

Highlighting the sciences as subjects crucial to the development of informed thinking and worldviews, due to being the area of education that concerns the natural world of member nations’ children,

Understanding how an education in science enables a child to pursue far more careers than they would be able to otherwise, as a direct result of the universality of the skills gained by studying the sciences;

Acknowledging the lack of currently-active, comprehensive legislation on the topic of allowing the children of member nations to freely learn about this vital area, and

Wishing to promote a scientific education in all member states, whilst remaining mindful of differing traditions and religions,

Hereby,

1. Defines the following, for the purposes of this resolution:

1. a ‘school’ is an institute of education for minors, excluding both those that specialise in a particular subject and are in addition to standard education, for example performing arts schools, and those that are for minors of a very young age; and
   
   
2. the ‘natural sciences’ are those subjects consisting of information gained from empirical evidence or logical deductions about natural phenomena, such as biology, geology, chemistry or physics;
   

2. Mandates that all schools under the jurisdiction of member states must either offer classes in multiple branches of the natural sciences, or a series of general classes in science as a whole, to its students, and that these classes must be of a non-trivial length of time, and contain relevant educational content;

3. Further mandates that any adults within member nations that are undergoing education of a very similar nature to that of schools, either due to receiving poor results upon completion of standard education or due to never having been taught basic subjects, must also be offered science in fulfilment with the principles of clause 2;

4. Encourages member nations to make these science classes mandatory for students to learn at early levels of education;

5. Prohibits any school within a member nation from deliberately disseminating false information in science classes, excluding abstractions or simplifications which aid learning;

6. Clarifies that subjects other than science are not covered by this resolution, and emphasises specifically that religious education may cover whatever beliefs are chosen by the schools or member states;

7. Requires that all member nations fund the science classes mandated by this resolution to a degree that enables appropriate learning opportunities, unless the school is of a private nature, in which case funding is urged but not mandated; and

8. Authorises the World Assembly General Fund to provide money to member states’ governments if they are genuinely unable to fully fund science classes, while still fulfilling the basic obligations of state, in accordance with the above clause, with the condition that member nations must still provide the highest degree of funding they are reasonably able to, and that requests must be logged and frivolous or unnecessary requests of funding denied.

Voting Instructions:

• Vote For if you want the Delegate to vote For the resolution.
• Vote Against if you want the Delegate to vote Against the resolution.
• Vote Abstain if you want the Delegate to abstain from voting on this resolution.
• Vote Present if you are personally abstaining from this vote.

Detailed opinions with your vote are appreciated and encouraged!

 

[mcmasterdonia]

The GA Proposal “Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools” aims to promote and provide for the furthering of the teaching of the natural sciences. While this goal is admirable, the proposal falls victim to vague language, incorrect definitions, and troublesome clauses that leave open the possibility of abuse. The definition of 'natural science' becomes an issue because the sciences that are listed refer to various physical and natural sciences instead of exclusively natural sciences as the definition would suggest. This defined science also has zero requirement to be peer reviewed or validated so as to maintain scientific uniformity across WA member nations. The proposal goes on to refer to the term 'Natural Science' only once before abandoning it after clause 2 for the more general term of 'science' for the remainder of the proposal. Furthermore, Clause 6 allows for religious influence over the aforementioned sciences which further undermines the purpose of this proposal by allowing flawed religious historical beliefs to influence the teaching and understand of natural science which is crucial for a functional, modern society.

In hoping of a redraft or another proposal to cover this important topic, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

Posting this one up as I have approved it and received some correspondence about it:

Hello there, McMasterdonia,

My name is Kenmoria, and the purpose of this telegram is to inform you about my GA proposal - Promoting Natural Sciences in Schools. At present, there is no active international legislation that guarantees the right of children to study science. Access to Science in Schools was a piece of law that tackled this issue, but it was repealed due to covering institutions of higher education as well as schools for minors.

This time, I have made sure to exclude universities and similar situations, such as Performing Arts schools, while still covering every type of school for children. Access to science is a universal right, which is why the proposal makes sure that every WA youth has the opportunity to study science. Science is one of those subjects that is essential to developing a comprehensive and balanced worldview.

No matter who you are, science allows you to understand what is around you, and gives a comprehension of who you are on a biological level. All children deserve to have this opportunity to explore the world through the means of science, by studying the miraculous nature of the universe, from galaxies to quarks, in their educational institutions.

Furthermore, science is required for just about every job one can imagine. At its core, the natural sciences are simply composed of methodical study, which is a value applicable to any form of practice and craft done repeatedly. By offering all children in WA member states the opportunity to study science in their schools, we can give them the opportunity to advance themselves career-wise, as well as developing their ‘soft’ skills such as creativity, problem-solving and interdependence.

It is for all these reasons that Promoting Science in Schools has been proposed, and I urge you to approve the proposal by clicking the link here. This way, it will be opened up to be voted upon by the entire WA membership.

Many thanks,
Kenmoria

 

[Wonderess]

For

 

[Praetor]

Against

 

[Ravendi]

For

 

[Fontainberg]

For

 

[Kaschovia]

Against

 

[TlomzKrano]

I have an issue with clause 5 in empowering nations to be the arbiter of truth on scientific topics. I would prefer an external committee that could properly address and create a standard for this.

And this is followed by clause 6 which lets religious schools 'cover what they want' which seems problematic at best.

Therefore against

 

[mcmasterdonia]

I’m also against for the reasons Tlomz outlined above.

 

[Gorundu]

I have an issue with clause 5 in empowering nations to be the arbiter of truth on scientific topics. I would prefer an external committee that could properly address and create a standard for this.

And this is followed by clause 6 which lets religious schools 'cover what they want' which seems problematic at best.

Therefore against

Not sure how clause 5 does what you say. I mean, good faith compliance, right? It seems to cover all the bases.

My vote is For as of now

 

[Pallaith]

For

 

[Orven]

I agree with Tlomz.
I'm not sure how enforceable the word "deliberate" is here: can nations "accidentally" introduce false information or doubt? I too think that there needs to be an external committee to set standards.
Clause 6 is also questionable, explicitly allowing religious studies to override sound science education.

Against

 

[Antityranicals]

The message sent through the telegrams writes in the header that the vote recommended by the TNP is "for," but the message itself writes against the measure. I hope this does not cause any confusion.

 

[Panama Coalition]

For

 

[mcmasterdonia]

Switching to for.

 

[Fregerson]

Against.
Short answer: I am not happy with the way the clauses are written, open to loopholes
Long answer: Clause 5 states that member ations are prohibited from teaching false information. But who decides what is false information? I know many may refer to good faith compliance to say that it works but I still feel uneasy as it is pretty much open to interpretation. Just think about evolution and wonder if nations can choose to claim that it is untrue because "God created mankind". Am I complying in good faith? You can consider me to be complying in good faith because I believe Darwin's theory of goood faith to be untrue. The problem with trying to legislate teaching of science, especially things that may be in contradiction with religion is a problem. If there is a better resolution I would clearly support one, but unfortunately I think this is a problem which makes me vote against

 

[Golden]

For

 

[Oracle]

For

 

[Wilkshire]

Against

 

[r3naissanc3r]

For.

 

[Siwale]

For