Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to find out the teachers' and students' perceptions on the
factors that influence the choice of home science in secondary schools. The objectives of
the study were to find out the effect of the cost of inputs in the choice of home science, to
investigate the effect of the attitude of the stakeholders towards home science on the
choice of the subject, to find out the important factors that schools consider in deciding to .
offer home science, and to investigate the factors that influence the students' decision in
the choice of home science. Stratified random and simple random sampling techniques
were used to select respondents from a sample of 20 schools. The respondents comprised
head teachers, heads of department, home science teachers and students. Data collection
instruments that were used were questionnaires and interview schedules. Validity of the
instruments was assessed by experts in the department of management and policy studies
while reliability was established through piloting. Descriptive statistics was used to
analyze data, which involved the use of frequencies and percentages. The findings
revealed that the schools' choice of home science is influenced by the availability of
human and physical resources and facilities, a good performance in national
examinations, value of the subject for the girl child, the need to instil life skills in the
students, the cost of inputs and career opportunities related to the study of home science.
The students' choice is influenced by the desired future career, personal liking of the
subject, the usefulness of the subject and parental advice. The study recommended that
schools should source for funds so as to provide adequate facilities for the study of the
subject, home science should cease being offered as an integrated subject, the
introduction of entrepreneurship skills to home science students, enhancing career
counseling in schools, and interaction between professionals in home science related
fields with students. Research needs to be carried out on ways of making the content and
processes of home science relevant in meeting emerging needs and on how to direct the
home science programme to focus less on the domestic front but rather be oriented more
towards being academic and commercial so that it competes effectively with other
academic subjects.
