School row over Al Gore film

leobold1 · 04-17-2007, 12:18

School row over Al Gore film | Uk News | News | Telegraph

By Liz Lightfoot, Education Editor
Last Updated: 6:34am BST 17/04/2007

Parents who claim that an award-winning film on climate change is inaccurate and politically motivated are threatening a legal challenge over the Government's decision to send it to every secondary school.

The film by Al Gore, the former US vice-president, won an Oscar for the best documentary this year and Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, says he wants teachers to use it to stimulate children into discussing climate change and global warming.

But a group of parents in the New Forest say the circulation of the film by the Government amounts to political indoctrination and is in breach of the Education Act 2002. Derek Tipp, their spokesman, has urged Mr Johnson to stop the film being sent out.

He said: "The film goes well beyond the consensus view and is not therefore suitable material to present to children who need to be given clear and balanced, factually accurate information."

Woodmonkey · 04-17-2007, 14:01

I agree. I doubt very much that other, equally credible, films that disagree with the opinions in Gore's movie will be shown to provide balance.

Woodmonkey · 04-17-2007, 14:04

Quote:

...the Government's decision to send it to every secondary school.

What does this mean? Does it mean that the government, using our tax dollars is buying up these films to send out?

drywall · 04-17-2007, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodmonkey

What does this mean? Does it mean that the government, using our tax dollars is buying up these films to send out?

Katie, I think this story is from England. We aren't smart enough to say the same thing here.

Woodmonkey · 04-17-2007, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by drywall

Katie, I think this story is from England. We aren't smart enough to say the same thing here.

Oh geeez! Of course it is and I did see that but it didn't register!

Well, the question still stands - just change "our tax dollars" to "their tax dollars!"

leobold1 · 04-17-2007, 14:38

And the answer is yes. The Education Ministry is looking to distrubute this to schools.