Home economics then and now

 Panay News

 26 Jul 2017

 By Shyne Vis ta, Dumulog, Roxas CIty Paid article)

HOME economics is one important component of Technology and Livelihood Education ( TLE).
But it is undeniably considered as the most financially viable subject from before because it is
considered as “just” a subject for students especially girls who would make do every home, and
would keep every home well provided with the basic needs.
In short, home economics is deemed to be more of a daily basic and a daily routine, but not as a
subject that could financially thrive well in the future. What home economics was 20 years ago is
that it was once known as domestic education to raise the images of young women learning how
to be housewives and homemakers.
The programs formally called as Home Economics have naturally evolved as a subject matter
and as a component of the Technology and Livelihood Education that encompasses the fields
ranging hospitality, nutrition, food and child development among others.
Home economics has long been a staple in the Philippine education system, dating back at least
to American colonial period.
The early programs focused on life skills and home making. But a statewide shift in the late ’ 90s
and early 2000s toward career pathways i n the high schools helped push home economics to
their current focus.
Today, home economics is offered as an elective at middle and high schools throughout the
Philippines. Life skills are still a component of the programs, especially at the middle school
level, where students may receive an introduction to nutrition, basic sewing and cooking, and
first aid. Some middle school programs even offer babysitting training, allowing students to
graduate with industry certifications in first aid and CPR.
Home economics program today offer career- oriented programs designed to introduce students
to future professions. People think about home economics and they think about cooking and
sewing and crying babies, but the reality is hospitality and tourism are all under the umbrella.
Philippine has a huge tourism industry and they are investing more on it for international
business to kick in. Recreation and tourism are a major part of the economy. Schools training
students to be part of those hospitality jobs are a great part not only making every Filipino
home’s dream come true, but are a major help to the tourism industry.