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Education Minister Erica Stanford.
Students will be able to study Agriculture and Horticultural Science from Year 11, creating a clear pathway into Years 12 and 13 and future careers in New Zealand’s primary industries, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Year 11 Agriculture and Horticultural Science will be an optional subject alongside compulsory Science, Stanford says, letting students develop specialist knowledge and pursue their interests earlier.
It will complement the existing Agriculture and Horticultural Science subjects at Years 12 and 13, and the new industry-led Food and Fibre subject being developed for those years.
Schools will decide whether to offer it, so they can respond to the needs and interests of their students and communities.
Stanford says the Ministry of Education’s original intention was that schools could teach Year 11 Science through an agriculture and horticulture lens.
Since the new Year 11 Science curriculum was released, feedback from rural school principals, teachers and the primary sector made it clear that approach could not provide the flexibility originally envisaged, and that the subject would be better delivered as a standalone.
“We’ve listened to that feedback,” she says. “New Zealand’s primary industries are the backbone of our economy and a major driver of our exports. We want more young people to see the opportunities available in these industries and develop the knowledge and skills they need to pursue rewarding, high-paying careers.”
The Ministry will work with subject matter experts to develop the subject, along with teaching and assessment resources and implementation support for teachers.
Public consultation on the new Year 11 subject is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker, who also chairs Agribusiness in Schools, called the decision positive.
“Studying agriculture and horticulture from Year 11 will help young people see the breadth of opportunities across our primary sector and build pathways into further study and careers,” he says.
He adds that he is pleased “the voices of teachers and industry have been heard”.
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Students will be able to study Agriculture and Horticultural Science from Year 11, creating a clear pathway into Years 12 and 13 and future careers in New Zealand’s primary industries, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
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