Education

The umbrella of the Association’s Education Priority Area covers three main topics:

The Association believes that it is of vital importance that students from years K-12 understand the concept of sustainable food and fibre production and that they understand where food and fibre comes from and the resources required in the production process. It is pushing for the integration of a Sustainable Food and Fibre message into the National Curriculum via the review currently being undertaken by the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority.

The Association is working with a number of organisations, both industry and educational as well as Government Departments including Industry and Investment NSW, the Royal Agricultural Society and the Primary Industries Education Foundation in maintaining and expanding learning resources such as the LandLearn website. The Association will continue to work with these organisations in supporting and delivering agriculture teaching training initiatives in order for them to effectively teach children about the importance of agriculture.

The Association is committed to ensuring that rural families have access to high quality education services. Education plays a vital role in delivering agricultural competitiveness and provides an opportunity to nurture our vibrant rural youth. Whether attending a local rural school or boarding in a major regional centre, students should be allowed to attend the education institution of their choice.

This choice is often influenced by the availability of adequate and affordable facilities, access to educational allowances and reliable, all-weather school transport. Whilst some regions have seen improvements in some or all of these areas, there is more work to be done to achieve more equitable education services for students in rural and remote NSW. Priorities include funding for preschool and small rural schools, together with finding solutions to poor education outcomes from schools in specific areas.
 

Related Issues

• Sustainable Food and Fibre Policy
  The NSW Farmers’ Associations (the Association) believes that a Sustainable Food and Fibre Policy (SFFP) is the way to secure the inclusion of sustainable food and fibre production into the national and state curriculums so that future generations will understand how food and fibre is produced, and the resources required for its production. To see the SFFP Brochure please click here.

• LandLearn NSW
  The NSW Farmers’ Association, together with Industry and Investment NSW (I&I) and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), have been developing an educational internet portal to promote agriculture to students. The concept originated from the three organizations wanting to make factual information about agriculture readily available to students. To view the briefing note on this issue, please click here.

Links

• LandLearn NSW
  The LandLearn NSW website provides an introductory overview of primary industries and natural resource management in NSW. It serves as a portal for accessing NSW-based primary-industries-focused schools education programs, products and services. www.landlearnnsw.org.au

• The NSW Association of Agricultural Teachers
  The NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers is actively involved in representing teachers and providing assistance through representation on Board of Studies Committees related to Agriculture. NSWAAT also make direct approaches to Government, the Minister, CEC and the Department. www.nswaat.org.au

• Primary Industries Education Foundation
  Primary Industries Education Foundation's vision is to be the preferred provider on credible, relevant and factual information on all matters relating to agriculture, fisheries and forestry for Australia's teachers, students and the community.www.primaryindustrieseducation.com.au

• Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association
  ICPA (Aust) is a voluntary, non-profit, apolitical parent body dedicated to ensuring that all rural and remote students have equity of access to a continuing and appropriate education. www.icpa.com.au

• Rural Skills Australia
  Since its inception in 1995, Rural Skill Australia (RSA) – working in conjunction the National Farmers’ Federation and its member bodies – has fostered improved rural involvement in education and training, with a view to enhancing the skills and capacities of new entrants, existing workers and primary producers alike. www.ruralskills.com.au

• AgriFood Skills Australia
  AgriFood Skills Australia was established in May 2004 as one of 11 Industry Skills Councils to provide accurate industry intelligence on current and future skill needs and training requirements for the agrifood industry. www.agrifoodskills.net.au

• Board of Studies NSW
  The Board of Studies NSW was established in 1990 to serve government and non-government schools in the development of school education for Years K-12. It provides educational leadership by developing quality curriculum and awarding secondary school credentials, the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate. www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

• The Department of Education and Training
  The department's goal is to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the people of NSW through a responsive and innovative education and training system. www.det.nsw.edu.au

• The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
  The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is the independent authority responsible for the development of a national curriculum, a national assessment program and a national data collection and reporting program that supports 21st century learning for all Australian students. www.acara.edu.au