Schools defend rural subjects

Rural high school principals are defending the inclusion of courses in subjects such as tractor driving, farmbike riding and chainsaw use in the curriculum.

Timaru Boys' High School has 15 pupils in its chainsaw classes, and Temuka High School offers tractor driving.

Timaru Boys' deputy rector Nick Simpson said that offering such classes as a National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) subject met the demands of a modern economy.

He was reacting to Auckland Grammar headmaster John Morris' criticism of a range of NCEA subjects that included the operation of a chainsaw, as "ludicrous".

"We're short-changing our kids by offering that sort of thing," Mr Morris said.

But Mr Simpson disagreed.

"This is a perfectly valid option, especially for boys who are thinking of leaving school at 16.

"We're responding to the needs of the students with a tailored education programme.

"These are not boys who are going on to tertiary education," Mr Simpson said.

His school's 15 chainsaw students all achieved the module last year, compared with a national average of 86 per cent. The school also offered modules in tractor driving and motorbike riding.

Temuka High School principal Andy Walker - whose school offers tractor driving - also disagreed with Mr Morris, calling his views "elitist" and said tractor driving, was perfectly sensible.

"Temuka High offers a range of programmes which include traditional and non-traditional subjects in an attempt to meet the needs of all of the students," Mr Walker said.

"We're not catering to a select group of students, such as those at Auckland Grammar," he said. Temuka High School also had a full pass rate in tractor driving, compared with the national average of 74 per cent.

- NZPA

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