EdUHK Launches Home Economics Programmes to Cater for School Demand
Over 100 educators, parents and students attended the “Home Economics and Nutritional Health Webinar” today (24 August), to discuss students’ diets and the future development of Home Economics in schools.
Organised by the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), the webinar was presided over by Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Vice President (Academic) and Provost of EdUHK, and Mr Eugene Fong Yick-jin, Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation. Multimedia celebrity Ms Karen Cheng Sui-man, and nutritionists Ms Wong Wai-ching and Ms Choi Ling-ling were invited to deliver keynote speeches revolving around the preparation of nutritional menus.
Addressing the webinar, Professor Lee said that as people have become increasingly aware of the relationship between good health and food nutrition, in-service teachers have to be better-equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of society. To this end, he said, the University is planning to launch a new Certificate in Professional Development Programme on “Learning and Teaching in Home Economics/Technology and Living” next year, for in-service subject teachers.
Professor Lee said, “As a higher education institution with a primary focus on teacher education under the “Education-plus” vision, we spare no effort in catering for the needs and expectations of society by cultivating professional educators. The new programme is tailored for course participants to stay on top of the trends and developments of the area taking into account various pedagogical needs.”
Professor Lee added that the 10-week-long programme will cover a wide range of topics, such as food and nutrition, fashion and textiles, and family studies, in addition to developments and pedagogies of Home Economics. Plans are also being made to launch a Postgraduate Diploma in Education for the subject, to cope with the shortage of teachers.
During the webinar, Mr Eugene Fong said, “Home Economics plays a crucial role in students’ personal development, as it is closely linked to their everyday lives. I am most pleased to learn of EdUHK’s plan to prepare more Home Economics teachers, in line with social demand.”
Educators from EdUHK Jockey Club Primary School, Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School and Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College shared their experience in promoting a healthy diet in schools. Dr Eric Poon Tsz-chun, Assistant Professor in the Department of HPE, also shared his perspective on nutritional problems faced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dr Andy Tse Choi-yeung, Acting Head of the Department of HPE, ended the webinar with his concluding remarks.
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EdUHK Launches Home Economics Programmes to Cater for School Demand
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