The Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences, and Home Economics Education at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Cape Coast campus, has appealed to government for urgent investment in infrastructure to enhance practical teaching and learning.
Speaking at a recent exhibition, faculty members and student organisers lamented that the current laboratory facilities, designed to accommodate about 35 students, are now being used by more than 2,000 students.
They described the situation as unsustainable, noting that the pressure often forces lecturers to group students for practical lessons, slowing down academic work.
“Some of the food produce for this exhibition had to be taken to KNUST in Kumasi for testing because we lack the resources here,” one student organiser said.
“The laboratory designed for about 35 students is currently serving over 2,000 students, so there’s always pressure on us. Lecturers have to work with students in groups, which takes so much time.
Faculty members warned that without immediate government intervention, the quality of practical training in home economics could be compromised.
They stressed that adequate laboratories and modern equipment are crucial for preparing students to compete effectively in the job market.
Vice Chancellor of UEW, Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, who also addressed the gathering, urged graduates to take advantage of the entrepreneurial skills they acquire at the university rather than identifying with unemployment labels.
He described home economics as a programme that equips students with marketable and life-transforming skills, emphasising the need for students to take the course seriously.
“Studying home economics from senior high school through to university equips students with valuable skills that can serve as a livelihood after graduation,” he said. “Though securing formal employment can be difficult, home economics graduates are well prepared to create their own jobs.”
Both lecturers and administrators further rejected the stereotype that home economics is a course for students with weaker academic performance, calling it outdated and misleading.
They maintained that the discipline remains central to entrepreneurship, job creation, and national development.
