CSEC Home Economics Syllabus

CSEC Home Economics Syllabus Options

1. Home Economics Management (HEM)

2. Clothing and Textiles (CT)

Each option is examined separately and has its own syllabus structure, objectives, and School-Based Assessment (SBA) components.

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🔶 GENERAL AIMS OF HOME ECONOMICS (Applies to both options)

• Develop an understanding of personal and family life management.

• Encourage efficient use of resources (time, energy, money).

• Instill skills for independent living, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

• Foster entrepreneurship and self-employment.

• Encourage awareness of Caribbean culture, traditions, and social issues.

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🔷 PART 1: HOME ECONOMICS MANAGEMENT (HEM)

📘 Structure of the Syllabus

The syllabus is divided into 3 main sections, each with several topics and specific objectives.

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📍 SECTION A: The Individual and the Family

Topics:

1. Understanding Self and Others

   • Self-concept, personality, values, attitudes.

   • Interpersonal relationships.

2. The Family

   • Types and functions of families.

   • Family roles and responsibilities.

   • Life cycle stages.

3. Consumer Education

   • Consumer rights and responsibilities.

   • Decision-making and budgeting.

   • Advertising, consumer fraud, and redress.

   • Buying techniques and wise spending.

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📍 SECTION B: Food, Nutrition and Health

Topics:

1. Nutrients

   • Functions, sources, and deficiency diseases.

   • Macronutrients and micronutrients.

2. Meal Planning and Management

   • Dietary needs for various age groups.

   • Budgeting and food preparation.

   • Balanced meals and food guides.

3. Food Preparation

   • Cooking methods (boiling, steaming, baking, etc.).

   • Principles of food preservation and storage.

   • Kitchen safety and sanitation.

   • Use and care of equipment.

4. Health and Safety

   • Personal hygiene.

   • Sanitary practices in food handling.

   • Prevention of food-borne illnesses.

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📍 SECTION C: Resource Management and Consumerism

Topics:

1. Housing and Home Furnishing

   • Types of housing.

   • Space management and interior décor.

   • Furniture arrangement and color schemes.

2. Clothing and Laundry

   • Textile selection and care.

   • Laundry processes.

   • Clothing care and repair techniques.

3. Home Management and Family Resource Use

   • Budgeting time, money, and energy.

   • Decision-making processes in the home.

   • Career opportunities in Home Economics.

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📋 ASSESSMENT FOR HOME ECONOMICS MANAGEMENT

✏️ Paper 1: Multiple Choice

• 60 questions covering the entire syllabus.

• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.

• 60 marks (30% of the final grade).

📘 Paper 2: Structured Questions

• Four compulsory questions.

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

• 100 marks (50% of final grade).

📝 Paper 3: SBA (School-Based Assessment)

• Practical project with written report.

• Conducted during school and marked by the teacher, moderated by CXC.

• Worth 25% of final grade.

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📌 SBA STRUCTURE FOR HEM

• One detailed project that includes research, practical planning, and evaluation.

• Topics may include meal planning, budgeting for a family, designing a functional room, etc.

• Should follow this format:

  1. Title

  2. Aim

  3. Method of data collection

  4. Analysis of findings

  5. Plan of action

  6. Implementation and outcome

  7. Evaluation and recommendations

• Word count: approx. 1000–1500 words

• Must show originality, individual input, and practical application.

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🔷 PART 2: CLOTHING AND TEXTILES (CT)

📘 Structure of the Syllabus

The syllabus is divided into five main areas of study:

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📍 1. Basic Sewing Processes

• Hand and machine stitches.

• Seams, hems, openings, fasteners.

• Pattern symbols and layout.

• Seam finishes and edge neatening.

• Gathering, pleating, tucks, darts.

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📍 2. Garment Construction

• Selection of commercial patterns.

• Fabric selection for different body types.

• Assembling and finishing simple garments.

• Ironing and pressing techniques.

• Finishing edges and applying trimmings.

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📍 3. Textile Science

• Types and properties of natural and synthetic fibers (cotton, wool, nylon, etc.).

• Blends and fabric finishes.

• Textile production processes.

• Use, care, and selection of fabrics.

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📍 4. Designing and Decorating Fabric Items

• Use of color and texture in design.

• Embroidery, appliqué, batik, tie-dye.

• Soft furnishing (cushions, curtains).

• Basic fashion sketching.

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📍 5. Consumer Textiles and Entrepreneurship

• Clothing care labels.

• Budgeting for wardrobe.

• Laundry and stain removal.

• Starting a sewing business or craft-based enterprise.

• Marketing of textile products.

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📋 ASSESSMENT FOR CLOTHING & TEXTILES

✏️ Paper 1: Multiple Choice

• 60 questions covering the entire syllabus.

• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.

• 60 marks (30%).

📘 Paper 2: Structured Written Paper

• 4 compulsory questions, covering theory and application.

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

• 100 marks (50%).

🧵 Paper 3: SBA (School-Based Assessment)

• Includes practical and written components.

• Total: 25% of the final grade.

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📌 SBA STRUCTURE FOR CT

The SBA for Clothing & Textiles involves creating sewn items based on specific criteria.

Breakdown:

1. Garment Construction (Practical) – Demonstrate proficiency in sewing and finishing techniques.

2. Written Project – Justification of fabric choice, planning, costing, and evaluation.

3. Portfolio – Samples of stitches, seams, trims, and decorations.

Requirements:

• Students must produce TWO garments or sewn items appropriate to their level.

• Each garment/item must be:

  • Made using at least five different sewing techniques.

  • Accompanied by a planning and evaluation write-up.

• Word count: approx. 1000 words total for write-up.

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🧠 SKILLS DEVELOPED ACROSS BOTH OPTIONS

• Practical skills (sewing, cooking, decorating, budgeting).

• Analytical skills (interpreting information, evaluating products).

• Creative expression (design and color use).

• Entrepreneurial thinking (marketing and small business planning).

• Research and report-writing (especially in SBA).

• Critical thinking and decision-making (e.g., resource use, family planning).

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📘 REQUIRED RESOURCES

• Kitchen tools and utensils (for HEM)

• Sewing machines, threads, needles, fabric samples (for CT)

• Sample patterns and swatches

• Iron and ironing board

• Food and nutrition charts

• Home care and laundry equipment

• Internet or library resources for research

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📚 RECOMMENDED PREPARATION

• Review past papers and SBA exemplars.

• Practice sewing techniques or meal planning regularly.

• Keep a portfolio of your work (especially in Clothing and Textiles).

• Collaborate with classmates on ideas but ensure individual submission for SBA.

• Watch tutorials or demos on fabric care, stitching, and food handling.

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If you'd like, I can create:

• A study guide or checklist by section.

• Sample SBA titles and outlines.

• Mark schemes or past paper analysis.