SETTING up Primary Industries Entrepreneurial Schools in key agricultural areas of SA would be an ideal way to ensure regional schools are well-utilised and can attract strong numbers going into the future.
This is the view of Flinders University Rural Education and Communities professor John Halsey, whose talk was part of a regional summit held at Whyalla on Wednesday last week that attracted hundreds of community leaders from across the state.
Almost all specialist schools in the state are located in urban areas.
But, Prof Halsey said PIES in areas like the Eyre Peninsula could focus on broadacre farming and aquaculture, the South East beef, dairy and forestry and the Riverland wine and horticulture.
"At this stage it's just a proposal, but it won't take much to put it into practice," he said.
Prof Halsey said there was a number of reasons for setting up PIES.
"Primary industries have great potential for growth, with the growing world-wide demand for quality food and fibre," he said.
"Rural schools are strategic assets for building new enterprise futures for our youth and communities and many have under utilised resources.
"When a school closes, other facilities in the town tend to go.
"So, PIES can not only deliver high quality pathways for youth, but also growth and improved sustainability for rural and regional communities."
Prof Halsey said PIES had the potential to also reverse or slow the flow of rural youth to cities.
"I believe PIES will deliver better retention rates in country areas and have the potential to attract city-based youth into rural and regional areas," he said.
"There would be greater utilisation of rural educational infrastructure and resources, as well as opportunities for rural to city partnerships.
"In the curriculum there could be opportunities for students to create, identify and recognise good opportunities and generate a business plan."
Prof Halsey said to implement PIES successfully locations and schools needed to be identified that specialist skills could be taught at and year levels targeted, as well as identifying and developing curriculum for primary and secondary students.
"I believe this is best done not just in-house in the school, but by linking to partnerships with successful enterprises," he said.
