Agricultural science in primary schools

Abstract

This article highlights unfair practices in primary school agricultural competitions, such as the employment of professional gardeners by schools, the appearance and disappearance of plants prior to and after judging, and the allocation of funds in excess of the amount allotted in order to achieve a winning garden. It recommends that the School Garden Competition should be abandoned in favour of an awards system; that pupils should be encouraged to do gardening at home, with materials supplied freely or at a nominal cost; and that a specialist agriculture science teacher should be attached to every school