RHS calls for inclusion of horticulture in school curriculum

The Royal Horticultural Society has called for horticulture to be included on the school curriculum after the results of a survey showed that 70% of adults had not been given the industry as an opportunity by teachers or career advisors. The society held a careers conference earlier this week in London and revealed a few of its findings from the event.

Findings showed that whilst 70% of people considered gardening a “skilled career”, 50% of under 25s disagreed. The survey also showed that just over one in four that were not made aware of horticulture as a career wish that it had been highlighted and that whilst 68% thought that horticulture is a career to be proud of, 70% of 18-year-olds did not agree.

Sue Biggs, director-general for the RHS, said that she thought that it was “staggering” that the Government are not doing enough to promote horticulture as a career.

Gardening expert and TV presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, recently said that gardening should not be for dropouts and that the government should do more to help young people get into the sector as it offers lots of opportunities.