Question

Discuss Home Economics teaching in Ghana: Strengths and Weaknesses (at least 4 pages).

Answer 1

Home economics teaching in Ghana:

Ghana is a country in western Africa, having a population of approximately 30 million. Half of the population is under poverty line . Unemployment and lack of education is the major causes of poverty in Ghana. ' Home economics teaching' in Ghana was implemented to equip and empower the individual students to improve their quality of life and their economy by developing their skills for different occupation.

Home economics is the study of Home making , including cookery, cleaning, needle work etc. It is also called as Household arts, domestic science/ Home science. Currently in many countries this subject is referred to as 'Family and consumer science ' as  it covers the topics out side the ' home making' also. In Ghana Home economics is teaching to all students  in Senior Secondary schools. The major objectives of the teaching programme ' Home economics are :

* To equip the students for independent living by developing the skills

* To empower and enable students to improve the quality of life.

* To make them to understand about the importance good consumer skills

* To develop marketable skills and to apply management skills in all areas of life.

* To help them to find out the factors and resources of family, community

* create awareness about the improved sanitation and environment and its importance in healthy environment.

Strength and weaknesses of ' Home economics teaching in Ghana :

Strength:

* Home economics teaching in Ghana , helps the students to provide or get an employment to reduce poverty. Examples:

- Sewing : to start a tailoring center, tailoring classes, to open a boutique

- Catering : to start bakery , to cater functions

- crafts making and interior decoration

- sell flowers and vegetables.

- Child care course, helps them to start creches.

* Provides basic knowledge in Nutrition , and cooking. Make them to understand about healthy meals, so that they can cook for their family healthy meals. Good health status of family members reduces the Medical bills and community health.

* Home economics helps to improve their self confidence and self esteem.

* Students understand about the importance of Personal and environmental hygiene and it improves the sanitation of the environment.

Weeknesses:

* Some schools stoped the teaching of Home economics as they think that this can be studied at home .

* After studying home economics , some students may satisfy with that education . The may not have aspiration to study higher degrees. So it may limit the higher education.

* Governments are not ingrating the Home economics course in all senior Secondary education.