Opinion: Police course sign of changing face of education

Rotorua Girls' High School students speak to an AOS member at the launch for a new school police studies course at Rotorua Boys' High School. Photo/Ben Fraser

For many of our readers, the school systems of today would bear little or no resemblance to what they experienced as youngsters.

I recently overheard an older gentleman remarking on a story in this paper about national standards - musing how in his day they got by just fine without any such thing. Quite.

And when it comes to the subjects on offer, there is no comparison. Which is undoubtedly a good thing. Not only has the world changed and schools moved with it, but educators now recognise that not every child will excel in maths and science, but may be motivated and destined for careers in trades or fashion or media.

As we report today, Rotorua Boys' and Girls' high school students are set to become the first in the country to study an NCEA-accredited police studies course at school.

In collaboration with New Zealand Police and Unitec, the course will be delivered to Year 13 students in 2018, preparing them to apply for entry to the Royal New Zealand Police College on completion.

For kids considering a career in the police force, this gives them a head start, though it doesn't guarantee entry.

It's innovative, different and has already piqued the interest of many students.

Assuming the schools, police and Unitec have the resources - both people-wise and finances - to deliver the subject without detriment to any other subjects or students, then why not give it a go?

The only thing I wonder is whether it's just too niche. The key may be in ensuring the course teaches skills and thinking that are transferable and useful to other careers because let's face it, not every student who takes it will end up as a police officer.