§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are reviewing or intend to review how issues about food and nutrition are taught in primary and secondary schools. [HL1757]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThe revised national curriculum came into effect in September 2000. All primary pupils have a statutory entitlement to food technology and learn practical food skills, including food hygiene, and are encouraged to develop positive attitudes to food. At key stage 3 the Government strongly encourage secondary schools to offer pupils the opportunity to study food technology, and 90 per cent do so. The new framework for personal, social and health education encourages schools to link their teaching of food technology with the opportunities for teaching nutrition, health and hygiene.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are content with the level of knowledge about food and nutrition gained at school by children up to the age of 16. [HL1758]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandWe believe that food education has a much stronger place in schools now than ever before and is meeting the needs of young people being educated for life in the 21st century. Food, nutrition, healthy eating and cooking are covered within design and technology, science and personal, social and health education. Twenty-six per cent of pupils were entered for design and technology (food) GCSEs in 2001, an increase of 5 per cent since 1999.