North Canterbury school principals are nervous proposed curriculum changes could impact their ability to offer agriculture and outdoor education.
The schools say these subjects are important to their communities, but without detail on the proposals it is difficult to see what effect it will have.
Education Minister Erica Stanford recently announced an overhaul of secondary education, including the phasing out of NCEA from 2028 and replacing it with five core subjects.
Under the proposal, subjects like agriculture, horticulture and outdoor education will no longer be offered as academic subjects, but will become industry-led vocational pathways, with assessments developed by industry skills boards.
‘‘When our young people leave school, we want doors to open for them whether they’re going to tertiary study, learning a trade, or heading straight into work,’’ Ms Stanford said.
‘‘These refreshed subjects will provide students with choice, purposeful pathways and opportunities for specialisation that set them up for success.’’
‘‘Our school farm and revitalised horticulture unit are central to giving students both practical skills and clear academic pathways into further study and careers in the sector.
‘‘Narrowing these subjects into a purely vocational track risks devaluing them, at a time when New Zealand needs to be growing future leaders in agriculture.’’
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said there was uncertainty about the proposed changes, which is understandably making people nervous.
‘‘In some ways it’s happening really fast, and sometimes it’s like we are in a dark tunnel and we don’t know what’s coming out.
‘‘It’s like someone is hitting it with a wrench and everybody gets upset because we all have a stake in this.
‘‘My advice would be to remain calm, stay focused and we will be OK.’’
Whatever the outcome, Mr Kearney said his school would continue to offer agriculture, horticulture and outdoor education.
His bigger concern at the moment was implementing the new year 9 curriculum, due to be taught in term one next year.
Teachers have only seen the new English and maths curriculum in draft form, with the rest of the year 9 curriculum due to be released in term four.
Oxford Area School board of trustees presiding member Aaron Campbell said the school is monitoring the proposed changes.
‘‘Agriculture and outdoor education are a big part of any rural-based community school.
‘‘We are unique in that we have the ability to offer those subjects in the way we do, due to our location and our connections in the community.’’
Principal Mike Hart said the proposals lack detail.
‘‘It is difficult to determine any potential impact. But they are both successful programmes in our kura, which we wouldn’t want to see compromised.’’
Loburn School principal Stuart Priddy was concerned outdoor education could be compromised under the proposed changes.
‘‘As a primary school principal, it makes no sense. The whole rate of change the government is doing is mind-boggling.
‘‘I think we all like to think some common sense will prevail, but it’s not always possible.’’
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow was unavailable, as he was away with students on outdoor education, when Local Democracy Reporting tried to contact him.
- By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
