Education and Science Select Committee – Should subjects like science be compulsory in secondary schools?

Under New Zealand’s current education system science must be taught to Year 9 and 10 students, but is optional for students as they enter their senior years. It can be argued that the knowledge and life-skills learnt in subjects such as science are important for the development of a successful citizen. So should subjects like science be compulsory?

This issue was explored by 12 Youth MP’s during their first day of Youth Parliament, with several main points of contention. The aim of making such subjects compulsory would be to develop more well-rounded citizens, and to encourage more people to venture into careers in the science fields, where there is a definite shortage of skilled workers. However, would forcing students to take subjects they wouldn’t take otherwise encourage them to do well? At the moment 75% of Year 11 students have chosen science as a study option, with 50% passing. With such poor pass rates, questions were raised about the curriculum; as well as how the subject was being taught overall. These discussions were put forward to the Select Committee where Youth MPs listened and discussed the topic at length.

What all speakers present in the Select Committee agreed upon was that all New Zealand students need a broad and balanced education, equipping them for the world as capable employees and good citizens. Therefore, what is taught in the classroom must be able to be applied to the wider world context. NCEA strives for this through its curriculum, with subject structure balancing the amount of knowledge a student gains with the skills on how to learn. It has been proposed that making subjects like science compulsory will mean students are better prepared for tertiary education and the workforce.

This Select Committee, Education and Science, was chaired by Youth MP Patrick Savill. Questions were fired by all Youth MPs at the three witnesses during the discussion stage that explored the issue of making subjects like science compulsory. Many aspects of this resolution were raised and scrutinised.

After nearly two hours of deliberation, the Youth MPs found that subjects akin to science should remain compulsory in years 9 and 10, and that they should be encouraged in the years preceding and following. This resolution would allow students to leave school with appropriate skills for the work force, while still undertaking subjects they enjoyed the most, encouraging high achievement. The young MPs also found that the teaching of these subjects should be improved, in order for achievement rates to increase.

By Isabella Radovanovic

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