In an interview with 2FM’s Colm Hayes on Tuesday’s radio show, Head of Home Economics at St. Angela’s College in Sligo, Amanda Mc Cloat highlighted the importance of Home Economics as the only second-level subject on the curriculum which exposes students to food education. Ms. Mc. Cloat stated: “The recent horsemeat scandal had awakened awareness in consumers of the quality and composition of foods that they buy,” she continued, “In exposing students to food education, Home Economics provides students with knowledge and skills which enables them to understand food.” She added that in practice food education, through Home Economics, allows consumers to plan meals and make informed choices when shopping for food, to read food labels correctly and importantly – to be able to cook nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

Discussing her concerns about the reliance by many consumers on convenience foods, Ms. Mc Cloat explained: “By their very nature, convenience foods tend to be processed and high in fat, salt and sugar; and that over -consumption of such foods has led to a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of our young people.” She cites an alarming statistic from safefood: “Today’s 14 year olds are three stone heavier than their grandparents were at the same age.”

Ms. Mc Cloat’s comments follow on from recent calls from others who have also emphasised the optional nature of food education on the Irish curriculum, and the need for this to be addressed by policy makers. Last week, in an article in the Irish Times (15th February), Dr. Eva Orsmond of RTE’s Operation Transformation called for compulsory food education in schools where young people should be “taught to cook five simple meals.” Last month, Mr. Jim Higgins (MEP) suggested that “our failure to teach kids to cook is a recipe for disaster” (29th January 2013) and called for “Home Economics to be made mandatory until the Junior Certificate.”

Notably, the issue of food education has been high on the agenda of educational authorities in other countries.  Internationally, Home Economics is a high status subject, and is viewed as the natural vehicle for food education in schools. In Iceland for example, all pupils from the age of six receive food education as part of the national curriculum. In Finland, Home Economics is compulsory for all 13 year old learners. Similarly in Japan, due to recent curriculum reform in 2005, Home Economics is a compulsory subject for junior cycle.  Closer to home, in Northern Ireland, Home Economics is compulsory to Key Stage 3 for all learners. 

“The time has come for Irish authorities to address this issue,” says Ms Mc Cloat, “for too long it has been left on the back burner.” She added that according to the National Adult Nutritional Survey in 2011, we are facing a crisis in Ireland with 70% of men and 52% of women being overweight or obese. Similarily, safefood research from 2012, reports that the annual cost of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland is estimated to be in the region of €1.64 billion.  “Mandatory Home Economics for all students to junior certificate which teaches meal planning, budgeting, shopping, reading food labels, food safety and hygiene, food preparation and culinary skills, needs to be part of the long term solution.” Ms McCloat concluded. Listen to the full interview at: http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#type=radio&rii=1%3A20157849%3A4710%3A19%2D02%2D2013%3A
For more information on Home Economics education visit
http://www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie/homeeconomics
Photo: Ms Amanda McCloat (centre), Head of Home Economics with Lecturers in Home Economics (Food Education) Dr Elaine Mooney (left) and Ms Eileen Kelly (right).