Teachers' and Students' Attitudes Towards the Teaching and Learning of Home Science in Secondary Schools in Nandi District, Kenya

Abstract

This was a descriptive, field study investigating the attitudes of teachers and students towards Home Science as a school subject in Nandi District secondary schools. The data was collected using two research instruments teacher -questionnaires, head-teachers and namely, the students and the Home Science teacher-interview schedule. Purposive sampling method was used to select the eighteen secondary schools and Home Science teachers while stratified and random sampling methods were used to select four hundred and ten students, and sixty-three head-teachers from the selected schools participated teachers. in the study. All the Chi-square statistical t( st and one-way factor analysis of variance ANOV A w » e used to "J determine relationships between variables. The main c )jec.tive of the present study was to investigate the attitude of teachers and students t-» vards the teaching and learning of Home Science in Secondar z schools in Kenya. The study established that teachers and students have positive attitudes towards Home Science as a school subject. A few students offering other optional subjects be unaware of the value of Home Science. seem to The study also found that there is gender bias in both student em ulment and staffing in favour of females. Further, it was also established and resources in Secondary that there is inadequate supply of learning facilities schools for teaching Home Science. adversely affected students enrolment in the subject. Generally This situation has both teachers and head-teachers view the subject as too expensive to mount since it requires the use of specialized learning facilities and resources. It has been established that teachers and students of Home science are overloaded since the syllabus is too broad to be covered in the prescribed In view of the above observations, it is recommended v= that Home Sc;ienee syllabus be reviewed with the view of scaling down contents to be taught. This will enable both students and teachers to cope with the demands of the subject including the practicals." v Besides, students should be effectively guided in the learning of Home Science and career opportunities in this field. Hence many students will be attracted to enroll in this subject.