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SCMP Reporter

Each week our two teenagers debate a hot topic. This week ...
Jeffrey Wong, 19, Diocesan Boys' School
Can you and do you cook? Can you iron clothes?  These skills are taught in home economics.  But, if  you can't do these things, it may be because the subject  is not compulsory at most schools.
I think home economics should be a compulsory subject.
Education is about whole-person development.
Chinese education theories say that  not only should students  be  equipped with language  and analytical abilities, they  need a certain level of basic skills for  their daily lives.  There are many situations that don't require academic brilliance. If you haven't been shown how to boil water or sew, life after school could be difficult.  It  would be funny for a genius to get stuck attempting such things.
Home economics  can be enjoyable. Making your own food, or working with textiles can be relaxing and productive.
By learning simple skills, such as cooking and sewing, students can help their parents at home. Perhaps they could treat their mum to a special meal on Mother's Day or learn to make their dad's favourite dish for his birthday.
Some may claim only girls should study home economics.  This idea is out of date. As the roles of both genders  become more and more blurred,  everyone would benefit from  home economics classes.
Claudia Yip, 17, Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School
I don't believe home economics should be a compulsory subject.
Home economics teaches students  housekeeping skills like cooking  dishes and sewing.
There are benefits  to teaching this subject in schools.
But is it necessary and appropriate to include this subject  in the curriculum?
Doing housework is  a basic skill.  Most people can learn it by doing it. Students do not need lessons  on how to use a mop.
Moreover,  housekeeping skills are often taught by a  mother to her children.
Introducing home economics as a compulsory subject at school would be repetitive and a huge waste of time.
While not many teenagers lack  the chance to learn  housework,   all of the students have a packed school schedule.
Including something that can be learned from experience would be utterly useless.
As the subject  is a minor one, it would not be given  much priority in the timetable, but its content is  tedious.
Due to the lack of time and the difficulty in  planning teaching content, the lessons may turn out to be impractical.
Leave these lessons  for home. Students will  pick up the skills as soon as they need  them.



Should home economics be a compulsory subject?