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THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF TEACHING HOME ECONOMICS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

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.

According to Uko-Aviomoh (2005) stated that home economics as an entrepreneurial-based and skill-oriented field of study is expected to equip learners with saleable skills that make for self-reliance and paid employment. Home economics as a field of study is divided into three major groups which are:

1.  Food and nutrition

2.  Clothing and textile

3.  Home management

The above mention groups of home economics cannot be properly taught without the provision of both human and materials resources. Even with the contributions of home economics to the growth and development of the national economy there are still some problems associated with home economics which is the problem of teaching the subject “home economics”. Over the years there have been series of challenges faced by most teachers in teaching home economics in senior secondary schools.

According to Arubayi (2010) stated that without funds these material resources cannot be made available and this will lead to poor quality teaching which in turns have a negative effect on learning abilities of the individual, poor motivation and frustration on the part of the students. It is to this reason that the researcher wishes to carry out a study on the challenges and prospects of teaching Home Economics in senior secondary schools using Owerri North local government area as the case study.

1.2  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The study the challenges and prospects of teaching Home Economics in senior secondary schools can into being as a result of poor performance of students in home economics. These challenges is found mostly in the rural and semi-urban areas of Nigeria; take Owerri North for example, most of the secondary schools in most area does not have economics laboratory; this has had significance effect on the teaching and learning of home economics especially in the area of clothing and textile and food management; this aspect of home economics requires the use of materials such as sewing machine, cloth materials etc. for demonstration; at times the materials will be available but will not be enough to accommodate the students and this becomes a problem.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the study is to examine the challenges and prospects of teaching Home Economics in senior secondary schools. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1.  To examine the effect availability of the human and materials resources on the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools.

2.  To examine the relationship between home economics and national development in Nigeria.

3.  To investigate on the factors affecting the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools.

4.  To examine the effect of teachers quality on the teaching efficiency of home economics in schools.

5.  To proffer solution to the above problem.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with the following research questions in order to ascertain the above stated objectives. The research questions for the study include:

1.  What is the effect availability of the human and materials resources on the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools?

2.  Is there any relationship between home economics and national development in Nigeria?

3.  What are the factors affecting the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools?

4.  What is the effect of teacher’s quality on the teaching efficiency of home economics in schools?

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: The availability of the human and materials resources has no significant effect on the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools.

H1: The availability of the human and materials resources has significant effect on the teaching of home economics in senior secondary schools.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study will be of immense benefit to the entire Owerri North local government area, the senior secondary schools; it will also help teachers to understand what is obtainable in the teaching and learning home economics. Finally, the study will be of great benefit to other researchers that wishes to carry out similar research on the above topic.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

The study the challenges and prospects of teaching Home Economics in senior secondary schools is limited to Owerri North local government area of Imo state as it will cover all the challenges faced by most senior secondary schools in teaching and learning home economics.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

HOME ECONOMICS: Cookery and other aspects of household management, especially as taught at school.