Many of the recipes and techniques taught in school cooking classes are based on cakes, muffins and desserts and fewer than 50% of pupils are taught how to plan, prepare and cook a nutritious main meal, according to a new study.
Almost 120 intermediate schools across the country took part in the study, carried out by Massey University in conjunction with vegetables.co.nz and the Heart Foundation, to see how year 7 and 8 pupils are being taught cooking skills under the current curriculum.
The findings showed food preparation needed an overhaul, said researchers, who found just 13% of teachers identify planning and preparing a complete, healthy meal as a key learning objective.
Heart Foundation food and nutrition manager Dave Monro said while many schools were doing a good job of teaching cooking, he was concerned about the inconsistencies in what was taught, how it was taught and how much time was devoted to it.
‘‘Only 10% of teachers surveyed listed the fruit and vegetable content of a recipe as a factor that influenced their recipe choice.
‘‘With one out of every three Kiwi kids now overweight or obese, it is more important than ever to equip them with skills that will help set them up for a healthier future.’’
Only 85% of Year 7 and 8 pupils were taught theory-based nutrition and the most common messages were about food safety, hygiene and food groups.
Very few teachers discussed sugar and fat levels with their pupils.
Mr Monro said the key message for parents was ‘‘to do what they can . . . to get children in the kitchen and to teach them about food and food preparation’’.
‘‘Traditionally, schools and parents were the main teachers of cooking skills. However, changes in traditional family structures have resulted in fewer opportunities for our children to develop these important life skills.
‘‘The school curriculum is the most appropriate place to teach and develop cooking skills, as it reaches all children and provides many learning opportunities.’’
As a result of the findings, the Heart Foundation and vegetables.co.nz will work with other key agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools to develop steps to strengthen the current curriculum.
Ministry of Education deputy secretary of early learning and student achievement Karl Le Quesne said the ministry was aware of the study and its recommendations which focused on the need for further guidance, rather than changes to the curriculum.
‘‘We are working with home economics, health and physical education teachers across the country to make sure they have the resources they need to teach kids about the importance of cooking healthy meals.’’
Mr Le Quesne said this also included lessons in healthy eating on a budget.
According to the curriculum, all pupils are expected to have had a chance to learn practical cooking skills by the end of year 8.
Food and nutrition was one of the seven key areas of learning taught within health and physical education — a compulsory subject from year 1 to 10.
‘‘Schools and kura make their own decisions about how to deliver the curriculum, in consultation with their local communities,’’ he said.
