TAFE Outreach programs are closely aligned to the Federal Social Inclusion Agenda ensuring NSW education is accessible to people who face barriers to learning including geographical and social isolation, language and cultural factors, financial hardship, lack of educational confidence, being unaware of opportunities to learn, a disability or family commitments.
Engaging this student cohort in gardening required a motivated and culturally aware teacher with excellent industry knowledge. A suitable person had been recommended but he was male which posed a dilemma. In consultation with the SACC we decided to go ahead and the response from the students has been very positive. Our experience affirms that good teaching cuts across gender and cultural stereotypes.
The teacher is also a learner and encourages students to share their cultural knowledge of the culinary and medicinal values of plants with the group.
