How Home Economics teachers in Norwegian lover secondary schools implement sustainability in their teaching

Abstract

Sustainability is an aim in the curriculum for Home Economics and the concept should be familiar to teachers of the subject. The objective of this study was to investigate how Home Economics teachers in lower secondary school implement sustainability in their teaching. Secondary school teachers (n=30) were interviewed about teaching sustainability in their schools.

The teachers carried out some degree of theoretical teaching about sustainable development. In the course of practical cookery lessons, their focus on the sustainability of resources was minimal. Although several teachers wanted to buy more sustainable products, the budget did not allow it.

The majority of teachers exhibited a relatively low degree of awareness pertaining to the concept of sustainable food production. Practical application of this concept was most probably neglected in Home Economics for economic reason.