Source: Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers is giving top marks to Feilding High School for its call to retain Agriculture and Horticultural Science as a standalone subject in Year 11.
“We’re 100% behind the school and we’ve written a letter to Minister of Education Erica Stanford, urging her to reconsider the proposed change,” Federated Farmers education spokesperson Greg Anderson says.
“Agriculture is absolutely vital to New Zealand’s economy and we should be doing all we can to get our young people into the sector, which offers exciting opportunities.
“Year 11 is when students begin choosing subjects that shape their study and future career pathways.
“Providing a dedicated agricultural science subject gives the sector visibility at exactly that point.
“Without it, fewer students are likely to consider agricultural careers, and the sector will feel the effect in the years ahead.”
Under secondary school curriculum changes, the Government plans a new industry-led Food and Fibre Systems subject, available to Year 12 and 13 students from 2029.
But it is proposing that agribusiness, agriculture and horticulture science be dropped as standalone Year 11 subjects, with a small component of those topics being incorporated into general science instead.
Federated Farmers is backing opposition to this move from the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA) and from Feilding High School, which has a proud history of teaching agriculture as a pathway from school into vet training, farm business degrees and research.
“Agricultural science keeps rural children interested in school, and exposes children without a rural background to the wonderful opportunities of a career in agriculture,” Anderson says.
A general science course cannot offer the depth, context or industry connection that a specific subject provides.
“Year 11 Agricultural and Horticultural Science has long played a valuable role in sparking student interest and preparing students for further study at Massey, Lincoln and other tertiary providers.
“We’re backing farmers, teachers, Feilding High and other schools in their push to change the Government’s mind on this,” Anderson says.
“It’s the same thinking in our Backing Kiwi Farmers election platform, where we urged more agriculture and horticulture content in the Years 0-10 science curriculum.
“Those early years are an opportunity to engage young people in these topics and help all Kiwi kids understand where their food comes from.
“Farmers tell us regularly that attracting and retain skilled and motivated people is one of their biggest challenges.
“Building the foundations to address that starts in our schools.”