THE IMPACT OF HOME ECONOMICS STUDIES IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1      Background to the Study
Home Economics is one of the compulsory prevocational subjects taught at the Secondary Education level in Nigeria educational system. According to Anyakoha (2007), Home Economics is a skill-oriented field of study that is expected to equip learners with survival skills that make for self-reliance, employment and paid employment. Occupational skills are best understood as competency on resourceful skills capable of steering an individual to be self-reliant, independent and productive in meeting lives challenges. Creese, A. (1976) said occupational skills are life survival skills which an individual needs to function effectively and face the challenges of life. Occupational skills in Home Economics include food and nutrition skills, home management skills and clothing and textile skills. By teaching occupational skills Home Economics Education Program enables an individual to learn, explore and prepare for a job or trade. Thus Home Economics could play a significant role in achieving the goals of the National Economic and Development strategy (NEEDS). These goals include wealth creation, employment generation, reduction of poverty, elimination of corruption and the general reorientation of values.
The fundamental basis for economic and social well-being of a country lies in the understanding by its people the basic home and technological knowledge.  There are number of different forces that have led to strong concern about the low quality of home economics knowledge, skills, values and performance among students over the years. Secondary school education is regarded as the foundation towards higher knowledge in tertiary institutions. It is an