ABSTRACT
The study was designed to identify the causes of poor enrollment of male student into home economics department in a tertiary institution (A case study of ESCET Enugu State). the research use random sampling, the population was seven Hundred and forty (740) include lecturer and students to elicit information on poor enrollment of men students into Home Economics Department in tertiary institution, the researchers use five departments, school of business education, school of technical education, school of primary education studies, school of vocational education, school of science education. The questionnaire was used as data collection and it contains 80 items grouped into five section according to the research question. The research questions were formulated and analyzed using mean distribution. The questionnaire was validated by Mrs. Ugwu being our supervisor from the department of home economics education. The principle finding solutions was to study the causes of poor enrolment of male students into home economic department in tertiary institution a case study of ESCET Enugu State. it was studied to encourage male student into home economics to avoid discrimination of course like home economics education. To make the male students and the parents to know the importance of home economics so that there will allow their male children to study home economics in higher institutions.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Home economics according to Encyclopedia (2008) is a profession and field of study that deals with the profession of economics and management of the home and community. It is a field of study built upon many discipline for the purpose of achieving and maintaining the welfare of the home.
According to (Uzoezie 1990) it is taught in secondary schools and in adult education centers; student include women and men.
According to WikiPedia (2010). Home Economics is a field of formal study including such topics as consumer education. Institution Management interior decoration, Home furnishing, clearing hand crafts, clothing and textiles, nutrition, food preservation, hygiene, child development, money management and family relationship. However sex education and drug awareness might also be cowered along with this topic such as food production.
The home economics programme in Anyakoha and Eluwa (1991) is however divided into four areas
i. Clothing and textiles.
ii. Home management
iii. Food and Nutrition
iv. Child development and care.
Each component is taught in tertiary institutions subjects with the basic concern on Home Economics remains applicable to each of the four programmes.
Home Economics prepares students for home making or professional career or assist in preparing to fulfill real-life responsibilities at home.
In the field of human science, Home Economics is a discipline to achieve a sustainable living for individuals, families and communities.
Historically, Home Economics has been in the context of the home and household but this has extended in the 21st century include the wider living environment as we better understand that; choice and peritonitis of individuals and families impact at all levels, ranging from the household to local and global community (Wikipedia 2010).
Home Economists are concerned in promoting and protecting the welfare of individuals families and communities, they facilitates the development of attributes for long life learning, for paid, unpaid and voluntary work.
Traditionally, research reveals that the number of women enrolment into Home Economics exceeds that of men and there has been poor enrolment of male students into the department of home economics in tertiary institutions, this among other things the fact that home economics classes in the 19th century were intended to grown women for their duties in the home.
It is in this context, that the researchers wishes to access the poor enrolment of male student into Home Economics in tertiary institutions using Enugu state college of Education Technical Enugu as case study.
Problems of the Study
Home Economics is an interdisciplinary course, housing the following branches of academics study such as food and nutrition personal finance family resources management, textile and clothing, shelter and housing management and hospitality human development and family studies, Hotel management and hospitality, design and technology education and community services among others Haro (1992).
Despite the importance of the interdisciplinary knowledge provided by home economics which is essential because of the phenomena and challenges of day today activities and worries of life. Tertiary institutions are faced with the problem of poor enrolment of male students into the department of Home Economics and this would undergo the need for an investigation study.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to assess the poor enrolment of male students into home economics in tertiary institutions with references to Enugu state College of Education (Technical) ESCET, Enugu.
The Findings are:-
i. That there has been poor enrolment of male student in the profession especially in Enugu State College of Education (Technical) ESCET, Enugu.
ii. That male student see the profession likened to female course as one of the major problems.
iii. The possible means of the multiple enrolment of the male student into the profession need a highly convincing enlightment.
Significant of the Study
This research work will be relevant to the management of Enugu state College of Education (Technical) Enugu it will also be beneficial to other institutions that offers Home Economics in Nigeria.
Furthermore, it will be of great importance to Home Economics career potentials and future researchers on the issue of poor enrolment of male students into Home Economics.
This empirical study is guaranteed to the researchers since it is a potential requirement for the award of national College of Education in Home Economics the study will also be introduce to THE need FOR the study and society at large.
Scope of the Study
The research work focuses, particularly on the poor enrolment of the male students into Home Economics in tertiary institution using ESCET, Enugu state as a case study.
Research Question
i. What are the factors responsible for the poor enrolment of male students into Home Economics?
ii. Why does the male student loose the interest of studying Home Economics as a course.?
iii. What are the possible means of enrolling male students in studying Home Economics as a course.?
