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LESSONS IN COOKERY FOR ALL CHILDREN

HOW IT'S DONE: Cook like Jamie Oliver

Wednesday January 23,2008

By Sarah O’Grady

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COMPULSORY cooking lessons for school pupils to combat spiralling obesity were last night branded by critics as an “expensive gimmick”.

All 11 to 14-year-olds are to be taught how to cook healthy versions of classic dishes like shepherd’s pie and apple crumble.

Low-fat curries and spaghetti bolognese could also feature on the menu.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said that unless action was taken now the country would have “real problems” with obesity in future years.

The announcement comes as part of the Government’s sweeping anti-obesity strategy which Mr Balls will today launch with Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

Mr Balls said: “If we can make sure that people are all learning to cook the basics, then maybe they can take that home and infuse some of that into their home environment.

“That can make a real difference to the healthiness of our society in the next decades.

“Teaching kids to cook healthy meals is an important way schools can help produce healthy adults.

“My mum was passionate about all this and bought me my first Delia Smith book.”

But headteachers and education campaigners believe the money would be better spent on extra books and teachers.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: “I see no reason at all for cooking to be made compulsory. What use is cooking as a qualification to pupils who plan to study medicine?

“Their time would be better spent with a science teacher. Children can get their information about healthy eating in other lessons and from different sources like magazines and their parents. It is an expensive gimmick.”

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “It will be impossible for about 15 per cent of schools to put practical cookery on the timetable until they have the proper facilities.

“There is also a shortage of cookery teachers, who will take time to recruit.”

The 85 per cent of secondary schools offering food technology classes will include practical cookery lessons on the curriculum from September.

The remaining 15 per cent not teaching food technology classes will be expected to include the lessons by 2011.