I really can't see the health and safety brigade leaving this one alone.Kids being allowed to handle sharp things and hot pans?The no win no fee firms will have a field day.

   They will learn basic budgeting! Follow these simple rules:

get credit card drive to cash machine drive to takeaway drive home and watch cooking shows on tv

Its so simple I am surprised that not everyone does it!

   Shame they can't make basic budgeting compulsory too.

   I agree with everything you have said there Connor and a lot of other sensible things from posters. My 16 year old son has left school now and he never did any cookery lessons but he's a whizz in the kitchen because I have taught him as he was growing up. In fact, he made himself, me and his dad a lovely grilled steak, roasted potato wedges and dressed salad last weekend. He enjoys cooking and it was a lovely treat for me to have a day off from the kitchen ! More parents should let their kids loose in the kitchen with a decent, healthy cookbook. Most of them would really enjoy it.

    What, day realease working at McDonalds.

   maybe they are worried that the kids might be to fat to fit through the metal detectors and therfore have to go home, missing a day of schooling, make the truant officer do some work and parents will get fined for allowing them to stay at home!!! all a money making racket i say...........

   about time this was re-introduced,give the children the basics of good,healthy cooking and eating and just maybe they will be able to go home and teach some of their parents how to cook an egg or wash a fresh salad instead of "fancy a takeaway" again being thrown down their necks,

   The government announces that metal detectors will be installed in schools - The picture in this story shows that they maybe complicit in any stabbings in future.

   Cookery,should never have gone off the cirriculum.The ability to create nutritionally balanced meals is vital for all.People who have no nutritional awareness are at the mercy of the junk food industry.

   About time should never have been taken off the curriculum we are going back to common sense again.

   Well said Ms D!

Cooking skills and 'diet' should be taught at school, but also the parents have a responsibility as well.

What effort does it take to grill a chicken breast and steam a few veg? Its just too easy for lazy parents to 'bang a few processed nuggets' in a microwave.

The skills the kids are taught at school could be used to join in and cook with parents at home. Make it a family task not just a chore for mum! All involved, all enjoying a bit of cooking and healthier to boot.

Everyones a winner......

But like I said, it takes a bit of effort for the lazy parents I see who need to get off thier backsides and cook a decent square meal for their children!

   school for the first time? I must be having a dream im sure that schools had cookery lessons in the 1950/60/70s or am i mistaken?

   Mmmmm, just like we had compulsary cooking lessons you mean - how to boil an egg and make a salad...great!

   Good idea but the kids don't go home and decide what they eat do they ? Unfortunately, too many will go home to KFC and the usual garbage.