The Bachelor of Education in Home Economics degree programme started in 1987 with only one student. Today, total enrolment is approximately 700. Major changes have recently taken place in the admission policy and categories of clientele served by the programme. Whereas in the early years we served mainly mature candidates, senior secondary school (SSS) graduates have become our main clientele base. Senior secondary school candidates are younger, have no work experience, and in general, come in with weak foundation in the relevant skill areas. With effect from the 2002/2003 academic year, mature students entered the programme at Level 100 instead of Level 200. Also, the programme now serves Higher National Diploma (HND) holders most of whom do not have any prior professional education background.

Though minor reviews have been effected during the 15-year history of the programme, there has not been a comprehensive curriculum review. This review is driven and informed by the following forces and sources:

(a) the diversity of backgrounds with which students come into the programme;

(b) feedback from alumni;

(c) evaluation reports from the off-campus teaching experience;

(d) changing technology and employment needs;

(e) the University’s curriculum review initiative

(f) the University’s strategic plan.

The current review attempts to build on the strengths of the programme and address weaknesses of concern, particularly the practical skills component and the application of knowledge in real-life situations.

The revised programme incorporates a gradual philosophical shift from a consumer home economics (CHE) emphasis to a more occupational home economics (OHE) orientation. The key element of this shift is the provision made for students to specialize in either food and nutrition or clothing and textiles. The goal is to ensure that the student develops competence and confidence within an occupational cluster – foods and nutrition or clothing and textiles instead of being a “jack-of-all trades and master of none.” We believe that the undergraduate home economics programme should:

(a) equip the student with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for everyday living as an individual, a worker, member of a family, and a citizen;

(b) emphasize applied competence for earning a living in a specialized field;

(c) promote life-long learning;

(d) lay the foundation for further education and career development in home economics-related occupations. In line with this philosophy, the revised B.Ed (Home Economics) programme has been structured so as to provide broad foundation on which specialization will be built. It has a Management in Living core that will act as a balance as well as reinforcement for specialization in either foods and nutrition or clothing and textiles.

The objectives of the B.Ed (Home Economics) programme are:

(1) To equip students with knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them perform effectively as individuals, members of families and responsible citizens;

(2) To equip students with the pre-requisite skills that will enable them develop competency in specialised areas in home economics for employment purposes;