A CRITICAL VIEW OF HOME ECONOMICS FOR SELF RELIANCE,

FAMILY PROGRESS AND HUMAN ENHANCEMENT

BY

HADIZA ABU YISA (CHIEF LECTURER)

HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT,
NIGER STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MINNA.

AT
RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
PORT-HARCOURT, NIGERIA.

DECEMBER 6TH 7TH 2016.

AN ANALYTIC ANALYSIS OF HOME ECONOMICS FOR HUMAN
ENHANCEMENT, FAMILY PROGRESS AND SELF RELIANCE

BY

HADIZA ABU YISA(CHIEF LECTURER)

HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
NIGER STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MINNA, NIGERIA.
Abstract

The writer has tried to bring out the relevance of Home Economics for community
development, family enhancement and for self-reliance in the absence of government jobs.
Home Economics is of great significance to human life and development but it needs making
a careful judgement in educational planning. The study programme needs to be planned
rightly. Example when Home Economics centres are to be set, they have to be set adequately
in capacity and furnished rightly for proper implementation of the set objectives as is stated
by the governments policies in relation to the entrepreneurial demands. There should be
adequately and correctly trained teachers to see to the running of the programmes. There
will be no adequate teaching personnel without sponsors for improvement in the fields of the
knowledge. Home Economics programme is time, energy and money consuming. It needs
creative people who are presering and innovative or business oriented for self-reliance,
family improvement and community development. Vocational and Technical Education has
great impact on productivity and economic development of any nation. It helps reduce
poverty and unemployment through practical skill acquisition. Matthew, Ungbo Dawuda
(2014) indicated that some problems faced in areas of vocational courses are lack of
adequate facilities and equipment for practical and technical courses, luke warm attitude by
government, misconception by society, lack of capital and lack of interest by students. There
should be facilities to be used alongside the theoretical teachings given to students.
Introduction

If societal problems and individual problems are to be solved or met then

the people as custodians and managers of it must realistically understand, face

and tackle the problems as they arise. One of the biggest family and individual

problems facing people today is economic and means of survival. The best

drug for it is self reliance through entrepreneurship skills as government

cannot do it all alone.

Giving Home Economics programme a proper re-visiting in schools in

terms of resourcing it, adequately funding it, furnishing the relevant

departments, boosting teachers morale and encouraging the teachers in the

relevant areas will go a long way in yielding power for businesses and for self

reliance in the absence of government jobs. It will enhance communities and as

well boost nations. Most Home Economics departments in schools are not

adequately funded or furnished. Using Niger State, especially in the rural

schools, there are inadequate staffs in Home Economics related areas. When

students are not adequately trained, the products produced may find it difficult

to compete and excel with other entrepreneurs in the job market of business.

Education must be relevant if it is to be accepted by students in todays

world. This is true of general education, related education and the speciality

subjects. Relevance motivates learning and expedites teaching. It results from

building a bridge between the world of work and the world of school.
 Analyses of the world of work provides a realistic foundation for all

courses related to vocational and technical occupations general, related and

speciality subjects. The related subjects should grow out of and support the

speciality subjects. Application of the principles of learning enhances learning

in related as well as in all classes.

Most effective learning result when general and related course content

immediately, precedes and is integrated with the topics of the speciality subjects

being studied. The content of related education should:

1. Result from occupational analysis.

2. Employ behavioural objectives

3. Evaluate performance in terms of identified behavioural objectives.

Home Economics Programme

The Home Economics curriculum content, being dynamic in nature must

be constantly reviewed to meet the local needs, economic realities and natural

constraints of the family and the self. This entails innovative approaches to

teaching of Home Economics and the widening of its curricula horizon to meet

needs of the moment Okeke, E.N., Ekomaru C.I, and Ihekoronye, C.N (2011).

If the above must be achieved the teachers of Home Economics must be

up and doing. They must be aware of current trends or needs and demands in

knowledge related to the various Home Economics courses as it may apply to

ones experiences. Home Economics curricular must be in constant review to

meet new challenges. If teachers knowledge must be improved to give the best,
government must therefore have to keep on sponsoring adequate, relevant

educational pursuits or projects and as well give adequate resources to run the

related established institutions. Societal happenings do very much affect

individuals and the family; familys sources of income must improve.

In making a review, Home Economics has some dimensions as this:

Family and childcare

Home management

Clothing and textiles

Foods and nutrition

There are also related relevant areas to it such as Agriculture, Chemistry,

Biology, Human Physiology, Maths, Physics and Microbiology etc.

The above basic areas could be taught in its elementary stages until a

child is well groomed to select an area of interest after secondary level of

education if adequate teachers are available. At the moment, learning Home

Economics starts only at the Secondary level of education and there, they only

teach an area as Home Economics e.g. foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles

or Home Management. Even the areas that are taught are not adequately

financed nor are there adequate materials in the laboratory or the teachers are

not even functional teachers that can teach all the required skills to expose

students as may be required for entrepreneurship. Home Economics teachers

should be well motivated and encouraged to teach. There is the need for

adequate funding and furnishing of laboratories in relation to number of the

admitted students to make learning functional or meaningful for self-reliance for

both the family and community. Home Economics should keep abreast with the

current trends in order to be rightly positioned to perform their roles.

Ene-bong (2009), stressed that Home Economcis researchers must work

and collaborate with other researchers in relevant disciplines e.g. Non-

Governmental Organizations (NGOs), policy makers, industries and the general

societies in order to help equip the family for self- reliance in the midst of the

present problems facing our societies. Knowledge demands constant reviews

and improvement to meet the personal needs, family needs and societal needs.

Home Economics programme and courses teach skills and theoretical

knowledge thus a good base for their usage in entrepreneurship or business

orientation for self reliance, family use or for the improvement of the

community. Home Economists should make their knowledge real or functional

to the benefit of self and others.

It is observed that it is only a minority of the Home Economics graduates

that want to stand on their own or make improvement of the field. Most often

majority rely on government jobs due to lack of resources for self business or

have inadequate technical knowhow on job service.

As the socialization process is being shifted from the family to

institutions e.g. schools, the church and the community, Home Economics

teachers should integrate with the general educational systems, especially those

that deal with the welfare of the families and individuals for self reliance.
 In schools the ideas of Home Economics can be given right from the

Nursery schools, through Primary schools and Secondary school level into the

tertiary institutions. This will help inculcate the core family values, societal

norms and generally accepted norms within a culture; it will also give the sense

of dignity in handwork as well as theoretical learning as a means to functioning

in life better (Ukpore, 1980).

Sustenance and Enhancement through Home Economics

The mission of Home Economics is to respond to the problems of the

individuals, families and the society as a whole. If the needs of individuals in

the family are met they would have the capacity to contribute meaningfully to

the smooth running of their homes towards a better society. Azunwena, Reginah

and Nchelem (2012 p.1).

There is a wide range of definitions on Home Economics but one by

Guiley (1969 p.2) from Reginah (ibid) state that Home Economics is a field of

knowledge and services primarily concerned with strengthening the family

through educating the individual for family living, improving the services and

goods used by families, conducting research to discover the changing needs of

individuals and families and the means of satisfying these needs. Home

Economics areas of activities are development, use of resources and

management of human and material resources for the greater welfare of

individuals, families and human society in its entirety.

 Home Economics is concerned with the way individuals and families

manage resources to meet physical, emotional, intellectual, social and economic

needs. It focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills

and attitudes that will enable the individual take control of their own lives at

present and in the future in the world of work or other life situations. Home

Economics protects the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities

(Azunwena et al., p.2) It must be emphasized that Home Economics is a skill

oriented subject providing its beneficiaries with opportunities for small and

medium large businesses where individuals can be self employed. Home

Economics training can reduce problem of unemployment and poverty in the

family and the society at large.

Ways of Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Home Economics for

Self Reliance and Development

Entrepreneurship education should give students knowledge, skills and

motivation for success in setting businesses of interest. It should give an idea of

how to set investment opportunities when one gets to acquire skills, habits,

ideas, attitudes and the creative powers for self employment or for embarking

on a business of interest.

Home Economics is an area that can provide students with

entrepreneurial ability in business enterprises when students from the onset are

given the correct ideas on Home Economics education areas it will go a long
way in providing them self employment and self-reliance in the absence of

government jobs, Home Economics courses when properly put into practice can

go a long way to augment and boost the family income, for comfort and better

survival Ewubare, (2010).

The strategies for the attainment of the goal for the integration of

entrepreneurship education in Home Economics include the planning of specific

objectives, learning experiences, organization and integration of the learning

experiences, and the use of instructional methods and facilities and correct

techniques for assessing the attainment for specific objectives by well

experienced Home Economics personnel, Lemchi and Anyakoha (2006).

Specific objectives are necessary in Home Economics curriculum for its

development and implementation, they are helpful guides in selecting learning

experiences, guiding learning, and they help in selecting instructional materials

and are also evaluation techniques.

A. Structure of Subject Areas in Vocational and Technical Education

Programs

Vocational and
Technical
Curriculum
course of the
specify subject

courses of related subjects (closely related are

must know while the less closely related
are nice to know or guidance-
type courses)

Courses of general subjects (basic education of

liberal arts are considered part of this group of
courses some are foundation in nature: others are
designed to add breadth of understanding
essential of all)

Figure 1.1

Notes:

1. The learner views new opportunities and content through previous

personal experiences and acquired knowledge.

2. Retention of skills and knowledge depends upon use, competency and

confidence, while efficiency depends upon frequency of application.

3. Learning is dependent upon the relevance of the learning experience.

4. Learning which brings pleasant results is most effective.

5. Reinforcement of learning is essential for most effective performance.

Over learning is a method of reinforcement.

6. Involvement in concrete experiences is the most effective way of

learning. All learning must grow out of that which the learner already

knows.
7. The content of related courses should result from occupational analysis.

B. Technical and Manipulative Skills of Workers in Industry

100%
Total Effort of Worker

Manipulative
Skill Technical
skill

0%
Semiskilled Skilled Technician Engineer
Worker Craftman

Fig 1.2
Source: Lynn .A. Emerson, Technician Training Beyond the High School. Raleigh;
Vocational Materials. Laboratory, State Department of Public Instruction, June, 1962
Page 8.

C. Structuring Learning to Result in Paycheck Jobs

Moderate Level
High Level
Low Level

High Level

Very Narrow Moderate Broad Scope

Narrow Scope Scope
Scope
A ___ B ___ C ___ D ___

A. Low-level narrow scope technician group.

B. Technical Specialist )
C. Industrial Technical ) May be classified as technician occupations.
D. Engineering Technician )

Fig 1.3
Source: Lynn .A. Emerson, Technician Training Beyond the High School. Raleigh;
Vocational Materials. Laboratory, State Department of Public Instruction, June, 1962
Page 10.
Conclusion

Small scale businesses through entrepreneurship can increase the number

of micro and small medium enterprises both in rural and semi urban areas, thus

enhancing National Development. Home Economics provide a fertile ground for

nurturing of entrepreneurship and promoting self reliance if teachers are

adequately qualified to fit students in businesses on graduation. Home

Economics courses when properly utilized is concerned with ways in which the

quality and content of family life can be enhanced to its fullest through the

utilization of human, knowledge and skills from different disciplines within the

pure, applied, and behavioural sciences, arts and agriculture to help and enhance

the family and the community in general.

The Home Economic curriculum must be business oriented, with students

well groomed in it and staff well programmed with adequate facilities available

for all round enhancement to both staff and students at all levels until

graduation.

In making careful judgments to Home Economics, it requires meeting

present demands and challenges; the staff must be innovative to face new

challenges. The staff at all times must have what to add to the old to make a

difference in their products to prepare students for the world of work as

entrepreneurs, for self and community enhancement. It is necessary to design a

curriculum in line with specific career options. The graduates will then have an

in-depth knowledge in their chosen careers. It will have an effect upon the
quality of products as graduates and in what they will produce. Home

Economics graduates must excel i.e. differ from non graduates.

Entrepreneurship entails creativeness and being innovative in marketing.

Recommendations

Government to offer scholarships and loans to students of Vocational

Education for entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship should be incorporated into the Home Economics

curricular at all levels; primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. It will

prepare students in the business skills.

Home Economics curricular should be unique to meet new challenges for

employment after graduation. At the moment there is lack of depth in

fields of specialization.

Schools should build the culture of entrepreneurship in their students

through practical experience; through industrial training and providing for

practical at schools.

Higher institutions can prepare students for link ups in businesses. This is

to allow individuals form a business linkage if need be.

Home Economics entrepreneurs should be skilled and be current in their

areas of studies and be also computer literate to be able to connect with

others through the internet.

 Governments should create more awareness on: Television, newspapers,

conferences, workshops and seminars on the significance of vocational

education for self employment and development.

References

Adeyeye, M.M., (2008). A Fundamental Approach to Entrepreneurship, Small

and Medium Scale Enterprises. Evi Coleman Publications, Ibadan,
Nigeria (2008).

Azunwena, Reginah and Nchelem (2012). Instrument for Family Sustainability,

Nigerian Journal of Home Economics (HETAN) Vol. 7. No. 7, July
(2012).

Ene-bong, H.N. (2009). Promoting Family Survival and Stability and Global
Changes and Challenges: A keynote address presented at the 10th
annual National Conference of Home Economics Research Association
of Nigeria (HERAN), 17th September, 2009 Nsukka.

Ewubare, M.U. (2010). Strategies for Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in

(NCE) Home Economics. Journal of Education and Research (JHER),
Vol. 13, 2010 p. 137 143

First Annual Report of the National Advisory Council on Vocational

Education Washington D.C. Office of Education, U.S. Department of
Health, Education and Welfare.

Matthew, Ungbo Dawuda, (2014). Viable Vocational and Technical Education

in Nigerian: Issues, Challenges and Prospects. North Central Journal of
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212 217.

Okeke, E.N Ekomaru, C.I and Ihekoronye, C.N. (2011). Globalization and
Changing Patterns of Family Life Style: Implication for Home
Economics, Owerri Nigeria Journal of Home Economics Research
(HERAN) Vol. 14 (2011) p. 27

Ukpore, B.A. (1998). The Relevance of Philosophy to Home Economics;

Teachers and Students. A paper presented at the Annual National
Conference of Technology Writers Association of Nigeria (TEWAN),
Asaba.

Uzoka Flora Amarachukwu (2008). Challenges of Entrepreneurship in Home

Economics Education, Nigerian Journal of Teacher Education and
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