Abstract

This study examined low enrolment of students in Home Economics programme in tertiary institutions in Abia State: perceived causes and solutions. The study was a descriptive survey. Total number of (56) final year j tudents participated in the study. Sampling was adopted as final year students were used for the study. Two ,l research questions were raised and answered in the study. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection while weighted average mean was used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed the factors/reasons responsible for the low enrollment pattern of students in Home Economics programme, that ) [there are dwindling factors contributing to low enrolment into Home Economics. Some of the factors that are I responsible for the state of enrolment are negative attitudes of parent towards the programme, Lack of interest I Jabaut Home Economics, Students do not understand the prevailing circumstances in the world of work and the {worthiness of legitimate occupations and low awareness of the relevance of Home Economics to the students. !Strategies adopted were, the public should be sensitized on the relevance of Home Economics skills to nation ! !building, students should be taken for excursion to some Home Economics establishments such as fashion ;homes, hotels and hospitals, well equipped libraries with Home Economics books should be given to all tertiary j institutions for effective teaching and learning of Home Economics, career workshop should be organized for I istudents where Home Economics can be introduced, provision of teaching facilities, the masses should be ! \properly enlightened through mass media on the usefulness of Home Economics as a course and Home I ! economics should be adequately funded by the federal government. One of the recommendations proffered was ~ ; that Loans and financial assistance should be given to graduates of Home Economics by government and : !financial institutions to enable them become self-reliant