THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the importance of Home Economics Education to secondary school students in Edo state. The purpose of the study was to assess the importance of Home Economics education and the relationship between teachers' competence and adequately planned lesson on students' academic performance in Home Economics in Edo state. Three Research Questions and three hypothesis were raised to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprises of all secondary school students and Home Economics teachers in the 174 secondary schools in Ovia North East LGA of Edo state. A sample of 100 respondents was randomly selected using purposive sampling technique from five different secondary schools in Ovia north east LGA of Edo state. The instrument used for data collection was a self structured questionaire titled: The lmportance of Home Economics Education to Secondary School Students in Edo State Questionaire (TIHEESSSESQ) which was validated by the researcher's supervisor from the department of Vocation and Technical Education. Split half method of Gottmans was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.83. The instrument was used for data collection and the data were analyzed using frequency, peecentages, mean and standard deviation. A criterion mean score of 2.50 was used as benchmark for the purpose of making decision. Findings from the study revealed that qualified teachers in their subject areas consider the use of Practicals to enhance students' understanding and help them acquire saleable skills in future. That lack of of qualified Home Economics teachers affect the appropriate utilization of Practical materials in teaching and learning of home economics in secondary schools.The study showed that students taught by qualified teachers performed excellently in their academic works. And that utilization of Instructional materials while teaching home economics raised both teachers and students interest towards learning. The study also revealed that there is significant relationship between teachers' competence and adequately planned lesson on the students academic performance in Home Economics and that discussion teaching method is more effective than lecture teaching method as it helps the students to understand better the subject being taught them by their teachers.