“THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION IN SHAPING 21ST CENTURY SKILLS”

AGNES D. PALACOL

Teachers of home economics have a responsibility to further their education in order to keep the subject relevant and to make it a force for good in the individual, family, and community. Modern homes have a significant role in influencing the future because the lifestyle decisions people make in their daily lives have a significant impact on both a local and global scale. Additionally, societies are changing quickly, and the next generation will have to deal with a number of social and environmental issues like poverty, globalization, climate change, and economic inequality. In addition to preparing the next generation for the problems of a society that is changing all the time, educational institutions today must find innovative ways to use digitalization as a teaching tool. The development of home economics subject is not just creating the material but also creating the teaching strategies and practices.

In the classroom of the 21st century, teaching home economics is essential. It helps students acquire the development of life skills. Essential life skills that are necessary for independent living, such cooking, budgeting, and household administration, are taught to students in home economics classes. By providing information on nutrition and health, it empowers students to make well-informed decisions regarding their food and way of life. Career preparation also includes home economics. Students are exposed to a range of professional options in areas such as family and consumer sciences, hospitality, and nutrition. In addition, home economics education has a strong emphasis on sustainability, teaching students how to live sustainably and how their decisions affect the environment. The discipline promotes originality and creativity, particularly in fields like textile design, interior design, and culinary science. Indeed, Home Economics teachers can provide students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for the practical aspects of life and contributes to their overall development.

-oOoTHE AUTHOR IS TEACHER I AT BETIS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL