Wednesday, 01 October 2025 10:25

Teaching educators

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: It's hard to comprehend the ignorance and stupidity of the so-called leaders in the Ministry of Education who for some incomprehensible reason seemed hell bent on perpetuating the myth that agriculture is just for ‘dummies’.

Their unilateral decision, based on their own enclosed Wellington view of the world, to abolish the academic science subjects of agriculture and horticulture must rank as one of the dumbest ideas ever made in the ag sector in at least the last 70 years.

Yes, there is an important place for vocational training, but have these so-called educators never heard governments of all colours point to the need for NZ to get the brightest and best people into highly skilled well-paid jobs in agriculture and horticulture.

There needs to be an education programme run for the educators about the technology which drives our primary sector.

More like this

Carpet decision 'bonkers' - Shaw

Green Party co-leader James Shaw has described the Ministry of Education’s decision to carpet 800 small and rural schools in synthetic carpets as “bonkers”.

Schools bag carpet plan

Rural schools around NZ are backing a new initiative to help them install wool carpet.

Initiative launched to ensure access to NZ wool carpets for schools

Thousands of students could benefit from a new initiative designed to simplify schools’ access to New Zealand wool carpets for their classrooms.

Full of it!

OPINION: The Hound reckons the country’s woolgrowers, already outraged by the Ministry of Education’s recent decision to award an American company the contract to install nylon carpet in 800 rural schools around the country instead of wool, now have an even bigger gripe with the Government and its so-called focus on sustainability.

MIA

OPINION: The Hound is bitterly disappointed to learn that the Ministry of Education has awarded an American company the contract to install nylon carpet in 800 rural schools around the country.

Featured

Another record milk price for Tatua suppliers

Independent Waikato milk processor Tatua has set another new record for conventional farmgate milk price paid to New Zealand farmers.

Editorial: Nitrate emergency?

OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.

LUDF adopts tactical variable milking to boost profitability

An early adopter of a 10-in-7 variable milking regime, the Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm (LUDF) is tweaking the system this season in search of further boosting farm performance and profitability.

DairyNZ: Strong payouts offset high farm costs

The dairy sector is in a relatively stable position, with strong milk price payout forecasts continuing to offset ongoing high farm costs, according to DairyNZ.

Federated Farmers slam Canterbury nitrate emergency

A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.

Fonterra delivers $12.35 organic milk price

Fonterra has delivered a fifth straight year of record organic milk price for farmer suppliers.

National

DairyNZ Chair: Dairy driving NZ’s economic recovery

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says history shows that when New Zealand needs an economic lift, dairy delivers.

Agriculture key to NZ’s future, says PM Luxon

There is nothing more important to New Zealand than agriculture, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Farmers celebrate Fonterra’s record dividend and profit

Fonterra's record financial results released last week will have "a significant positive impact" on regional communities, says Fonterra Co-operative Council…