INVESTIGATING THE TEACHING OF HOME ECONOMICS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A CASE OF ST. MAURICE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN LUSAKA DISTRICT

Abstract

This study investigated the teaching of home economics at St Maurice primary school in Lusaka district. The study was guided by the following objectives; 1. To investigate the teachers’ and learners’ perceptions on the teaching of home economics in primary school. 2. To examine the extent to which instructional materials contributed to the teaching and learning of home economics. 3. To suggest ways to improve the teaching of home economics at St Maurice primary school. This study used a case study research design. A sample of five teachers, the head teacher and 17 pupils was used. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guide and a focus group discussion. These were administered to the respondents and data was analyzed by grouping the emerging themes from the findings. The findings reviewed that teaching of home economics as a practical subject is very important as it has a great impact on a learner. It is a way of imparting wisdom, knowledge, values, attitudes, morals and skills to learners that even if they dropped out of school or if they never acquired tertiary education they would still be able to sustain themselves. Home economics can be a way of reducing poverty and lack of employment, it can also be a way of improving the health of a country. The use of instructional materials cannot be ignored as it is a very important tool in the teaching of home economics. The findings reviewed that if teaching materials are not available the outcome is undesirable unfortunately, the school does not provide all the required materials for practical lessons. However, this can change if the administration would offer the needed support to the H.E department as well as if the teachers could encourage their learners and sensitize them on the importance of this subject. Additionally, the school needs to develop a sustainable source of income instead depending on the school administration.