Sir, – It was extremely encouraging to see John McKenna's article "Cookery is a life skill that belongs on the school curriculum" in your excellent Health + Family section ( October 13th). He calls for home economics to be the "one subject that should be mandatory for all students who attend our schools".
Home economics in its present format encompasses not just the lost art of cooking, but also nutrition, budgeting, resource management, the importance of physical health and mental wellbeing, along with basic sewing skills.
As home economists, we continue to call on the Government to recognise that home economics has a vital role to play in the school curriculum.
It should, at the very least, be a matter of priority to make home economics compulsory for all Junior Cycle students.
In an age where childhood obesity is at epidemic levels and families – in spite of the economic recovery – still struggle on a daily basis to balance their finances, home economics is uniquely placed to equip students with both the knowledge and skills necessary for living in the 21st century.
Home economics teachers have proven time and again that they are ready, willing and able to step up to the mark and deliver a set of lifeskills that each student deserves to learn. The question now is whether is the Government is willing to commit. – Yours, etc,
JULIE SWEENEY,
Vice-President,
Association of Teachers
of Home Economics,
Mallow, Co Cork.