A curriculum history of domestic subjects in Malta

Abstract

By their very nature, domestic subjects are linked to the cultural heritage and the socio economic conditions of the country in question. Local crafts which in past centuries were the only source of revenue in a particular community were taught to the younger generations for economic reasons, together with other skills related to man's most basic needs within the household domain. Hence, topics such as Needlework, Basic Hygiene, Nutrition, Home Management, Domestic Science and Horne Economics, which all form part of the broader field of studies knowm as Domestic Subjects, were included in the Maltese school curricula in an attempt to improve the general conditions of local society. The close link between socio-economic conditions and the development of what are known currently as Domestic Subjects or Home Economics in the organization of a pedagogical framework has historically been very relevant to the Maltese context