Home Economics and National Development – JSS1 Home Economics Lesson Note (First Term)

Home economics is the subject that teaches how to manage food, clothing, the home and family resources for healthy living.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define home economics and national development.
2. Name the three areas of home economics.
3. List careers under foods and nutrition, home management, and clothing and textiles.
4. State five ways home economics helps national development.
5. State how home economics is offered at the Basic Education and Senior Secondary levels.
6. Name the tertiary institutions where home economics can be studied.

What is home economics?

Home economics is a practical subject that helps people run their homes and use their resources well.

• Foods and nutrition: the study of food, healthy eating and cooking.
• Home management: the study of how to run a home using money, time, energy and materials wisely.
• Clothing and textiles: the study of fabrics, sewing, and the choice and care of clothes.

What is national development?

National development is the steady improvement of a country’s economy, health, education and standard of living.

• Healthy citizens: people who are well fed and free from avoidable illness.
• Skilled citizens: people who can work and earn a living.
• Stable homes: families that are well managed and well cared for.

How does home economics help national development?

Home economics helps national development by producing healthy, skilled and self-reliant citizens.

• Good health: lessons on balanced diets help reduce malnutrition and diet-related illness.
• Employment: the subject leads to many careers, so more people earn a living.
• Self-reliance: skills such as sewing, baking and catering let people start small businesses.
• Better family life: good home management helps families live in peace and comfort.
• Wise use of resources: students learn to budget money and avoid waste of food, time and energy.
• Hygiene and sanitation: clean homes, clean food and clean clothes help prevent disease.
• Growth of local industries: food processing, tailoring and fashion create goods and jobs in the country.
• Training of future professionals: the subject prepares students for further study and for teaching.

What are the careers in home economics?

There are three areas of careers in home economics: foods and nutrition, home management, and clothing and textiles.

What are the careers in foods and nutrition?

• Nutritionists: advise people on the foods needed for good health.
• Food technologists: work on the processing and preservation of food.
• Dieticians: plan special diets for sick people and others with particular needs.
• Caterers: prepare and serve food at events, schools and hotels.
• Bakers: make bread, cakes and other baked goods.
• Food researchers: study foods to find better ways of producing and using them.
• Teachers: teach foods and nutrition in schools and colleges.

What are the careers in home management?

• Home keepers: manage the daily running of a household.
• Welfare workers: help families and individuals who need support.
• Teachers: teach home management in schools and colleges.
• Interior decorators: plan and arrange the look of rooms and furnishings.
• Researchers: study home and family matters to improve living standards.
• Counsellors: guide individuals and families on personal and family problems.
• Laundry specialists: clean, press and care for clothes and fabrics.

What are the careers in clothing and textiles?

• Dressmakers: sew clothes for customers.
• Cloth retailers: sell fabrics and ready-made clothes.
• Teachers: teach clothing and textiles in schools and colleges.
• Fashion designers: create new styles and designs of clothing.
• Stylists: advise people on clothes, accessories and appearance.
• Embroidery makers: decorate fabric with stitched patterns.

What are the requirements for a home economics career?

Home economics careers require education at different levels, from Basic Education to the tertiary level.

Which tertiary institutions offer home economics?

• Colleges of education: train teachers of home economics.
• Polytechnics: train students in practical and technical areas of the subject.
• Universities: offer degree courses in the subject.

Evaluation

1. Mention three areas of home economics.
2. State five ways home economics helps national development.
3. List three careers under foods and nutrition.
4. In what ways is home economics offered at the Senior Secondary level?

Assignment

Answer both parts in your exercise book.

1. Name three tertiary institutions where home economics can be studied.
2. List two careers under each of the three areas of home economics.