Home economics education in Malta : extending beyond the compulsory school years for social and ecological well-being

Abstract

Home Economics (hereafter HE) has been taught in schools in Malta for over a century and has been responding to the needs and changes in society ever since. Throughout the years it was felt that the subject areas within HE were potentially valuable facilitators of community and societal development. In this paper we discuss how HE education in Malta has extended beyond compulsory schooling to reach individuals and families in our communities. The advantage of being a small island has enabled Home Economists to be actively present on a local and national level, including via the media quite strongly. In keeping with its roots, the vision for an extended HE education has been to disseminate knowledge, foster attitudes and nurture skills so that individuals and families make informed changes and sustainable improvements in their lives, building healthy attitudes towards food, exercise, the natural environment, as well as seeking to build stronger relationships and to become wiser consumers. In the outreach programmes, talks and activities Home Economists aim to encourage and enable positive change by enhancing people’s decisions, practices and self-esteem. As stated by the Minister of Education Hon. Evarist Bartolo in the Malta National Lifelong Learning strategy 2020, “access to relevant learning throughout life is a fundamental cornerstone in our aspirations to have a sustainable knowledge-based society and economy” (p.5). [excerpt]