Band 7.0 answer
I largely agree that cooking should be part of the school curriculum, since it equips young people with a skill that supports both their health and their independence, although it need not take up much timetable space.
The strongest argument concerns health. Rates of obesity among children are rising in many countries, and a diet based on ready meals and takeaways is a major factor. Pupils who learn to prepare simple, balanced dishes are more likely to carry those habits into adulthood. Parents increasingly work long hours and may not have time to teach cooking at home, so school is the obvious place to fill this gap.
Cooking also develops useful general skills. Reading a recipe involves following instructions in the right order, measuring requires basic mathematics, and preparing a meal in a group demands cooperation. These abilities transfer to other subjects and to working life, and they are exactly the kind of practical competence that employers say many school leavers lack.
Admittedly, some people fear that cooking would reduce the time available for core subjects. This concern is reasonable, but it can be addressed by limiting lessons to one a week, or by integrating cooking into existing subjects such as science and mathematics. The cost of equipment is a further obstacle, yet many schools already have food technology rooms.
In conclusion, the benefits for health, independence and practical learning outweigh the drawbacks, provided that cooking is introduced in a modest and well-planned way.