Year 11 Agriculture Science Saved: Teachers Welcome U-Turn
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.
Federated Farmers education spokesperson Greg Anderson said the organisation has written to Minister of Education Erica Stanford, urging her to reconsider the proposed change.
“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,” Anderson said.
“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.”
The Proposal
Under changes to the secondary school curriculum, the Government plans a new industry-led Food and Fibre Systems subject, available to Year 12 and 13 students from 2029.
It is proposing that agribusiness, agriculture and horticulture science be dropped as standalone Year 11 subjects, with a small component of those topics incorporated into general science instead.
Federated Farmers is backing opposition to the move from the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA) and Feilding High School, which has a history of teaching agriculture as a pathway into vet training, farm business degrees and research.
Why Year 11 Matters, According to Federated Farmers
“Year 11 is when students begin choosing subjects that shape their study and future career pathways,” Anderson said.
“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.”
He said agricultural science keeps rural children interested in school and exposes children without a rural background to career opportunities in agriculture.
“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,” Anderson said.
Federated Farmers argues a general science course cannot offer the depth, context or industry connection of a specific subject.
Earlier Years and Workforce
Anderson said the position matches the Backing Kiwi Farmers election platform, which 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,” he said.
“Farmers tell us regularly that attracting and retaining skilled and motivated people is one of their biggest challenges. Building the foundations to address that starts in our schools.”
“We’re backing farmers, teachers, Feilding High and other schools in their push to change the Government’s mind on this,” Anderson said.
