ABSTRACT
The study of home economics has increased overtime in Nigeria; home economics as a subject play a significant role in the life of many in most of the Nigeria societies. Home economics can be seen to contribute to life in different ways; home economics as an aspect of vocational and technical education plays significant roles in the growth and development of the national economy through an improved teaching and learning skills. Home economics as an aspect of vocational education is a skill oriented subject and requires the contributions of both human and material resources. Despite the benefits of home economics to the national economy’s growth and development, there are still some issues with the topic, one of which is the difficulty in teaching it. As a result, it becomes imperative that this research examines the impact of home economic studies in higher institution of learning in Enugu State.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The policy behind the system of education in Nigeria is to ensure that students acquire knowledge and first hand vocational training relevant to self-reliance. The achievement of this policy would largely depend on the communication between the students and the school environment; any shortfall from them may hamper the students’ overall learning outcome. Home economics is the study of life itself, which entails preparing oneself to manage the various factors that influence one’s way of life in the home, community, and society. House economics in Nigeria focuses on instilling in pupils the value of the home, family, and society, as well as providing many opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning to prepare them for future home life.
Taking a closer look at the topics covered in Home Economics in Nigeria, it is clear that the goal is to gain new skills such as productive and entrepreneurial skills, work ethic, and occupational knowledge, which are necessary both for making an informed career choice and for specialised training in one’s field. In Nigeria, home economics assists students in setting their goals. If they cannot afford to continue their education, this course in high school would enable them to be prepared and face their future with hope and optimism. The Home Economics programme is designed to provide graduates with marketable skills that will enable them to become self-sufficient. It exposes them to a variety of occupations such as craft work, clothing production, tailoring, fashion design, bakery, and laundry, to name a few. According to Ozioma (2012), the many fields of Home Economics include career alternatives that can keep graduates gainfully employed when they are unable to find paid work. The following are some of the employment opportunities highlighted by Iloeje (1999) in the Home Economics Program: nursery school management, interior decoration, hotel management, starting snack and fast food stores, and so on. These career alternatives assist in the creation of job opportunities for graduates of the Home Economics programme.
Home Economics is limited to studying and cooking (Deagon, 2012). The author went on to say that Home Economics is a complex field that uses theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in order to dispel such notions. The International Federation in Home Economics (IFHE) (2015) asserts that home economics promotes students’ professional judgments and actions while also preparing them for future life undertakings through the ability to use gained information in daily life, supporting Deagon’s position (IFHE, 2015). The major goal of the Home Economics curriculum, according to Gale Smith (2013), is to integrate theory and practise in a way that optimises the applicability of school-learned information and skills. Home Economics connects theoretical content taught in school with practical knowledge applied at home (Beinert et al., 2021; Granberg et al., 2017).
Regardless of Scholars’ opinion, the relevancy of Home Economics curriculum in today’s culture looks to be under doubt. Salter and Hinds (2014) highlight the disconnect between home economics education’s current standing, which is mostly neglected in many educational institutions, and the issues that exist at all levels of society. In addition, according to Pendergast (2001), the status of the home economics field, and hence the home economics topic, in educational systems and society has been in flux for quite some time. According to Pendergast et al. (2011), society does not recognize the potential and benefits of home economics. The current global trend indicates that home economics does not receive special attention or importance in school curriculum, but this does not suggest that the subject’s contents are irrelevant or unimportant (Salter 2013). In the field of Home Economics, Davis (2008) emphasises a significant gender disparity. According to some academics, the purpose of Home Economics is to prepare women for their duties as wives, mothers, and housekeepers (Caraher & McCloat, 2016). When compared to Home Economics, male students are substantially more interested in science and other technical subjects since they believe medicine, law, and engineering are appropriate concentration fields (Nnubia, 2013, p.9).
Statement of the Problem
Most tertiary Institutions in Nigeria offer Home Economics curriculum as one of their major subjects. The goal of teaching the subject is for each student to be able to explain Home Economics principles and display talents and other abilities directly relevant to employment and skill application (Ekpenyong, 2009). Home Economics has been defined in various ways by various authors as an applied science and a vocational topic for skill acquisition. Home Economics, according to Nwaokolo (2004), offers linking capacities or pathways via which productive interaction might occur. Home Economics can assist in the resolution of a variety of societal issues. Skill development and training play a significant role in the development of “survival” competencies that can help Home Economics graduates meet modern difficulties. According to Njoku (2002), people develop good working skills in order to endure obstacles or danger. As a result, graduates in the field of home economics must be exposed to a wide range of practical experiences in order to develop marketable abilities. This explains why the government makes conscious policy declarations in this regard so frequently. However, it should be recognized that the value and importance of Home Economics in accelerating society growth cannot be realized in isolation without the availability of appropriate educational possibilities (Abdullahi, 2012).
Scrutiny of the benefit of Home Economics Education has been an issue of concern in modern literature (Pendergast et al. 2011). Above all, this study desires to look critically into the impact of home economic studies in higher institution of learning in Enugu State.
Research Questions
The research questions to be addressed in this work include:
(1) What are the Benefits of Home Economics Education in Enugu State?
(2) To what extent how appreciative members of the public are towards Home Economics in Enugu State?
(3) What are the major constraints inhibiting teaching of Home Economics in Enugu State?
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of home economic studies in higher institution of learning in Enugu State.
The expectations can be achieved by the following:
(1) To find out the benefits of Home Economics Education in Enugu State.
(2) To determine the level of awareness of people towards entrepreneurship developments in Enugu state.
(3) To identify the constraints encountered by entrepreneurs in Enugu North LGA.
(4) To make recommendations where necessary.
Significance of the Study
The study would be of immense importance to government at all levels, school administrators, teachers and principals on the need and effect of laboratory on the performance of secondary school students. The study would also be important to students, scholars and researchers who are interested on further studies on the benefits of Home Economics education in higher education in Nigeria.
This research will serve as a foundation and a springboard for any future researchers and scholars interested in advancing entrepreneurial education in Enugu State. The findings of this study could be useful to persons in a variety of industries and professions. The findings of this study may help in encouraging efficiency in teaching Home Economics in higher institutions of learning in Enugu State.
This study’s findings will serve as a springboard for future research and knowledge advancement. The findings will be published in local and international journals, as well as presented as seminar talks at conferences for usage by various stakeholders. It will be a valuable source of information for future studies.
Scope of the Study
This study focused on the impact of home economic studies in higher institution of learning in Enugu State. The geographical scope of the study will be limited to students of University of Nigeria (Nsukka), Enugu State.
THE IMPACT OF HOME ECONOMIC STUDIES IN HIGHER INSTITUTION OF LEARNING IN ENUGU STATE
