Handicraft and Home Economics as Designers of Citizens Who are Able to Cope in Society

Abstract

Craft taught at comprehensive school is an integrative subject, which enables students to generalize the knowledge acquired in theoretical disciplines and connect it to everyday life, hence designing a self-managing citizen. In the Republic of Estonia the subject of Craft includes both Home Economics and Handicraft. A pilot study and two national surveys were conducted in order to clarify Estonian society's expectations and the readiness of schools to implement this contemporary approach of the subject at comprehensive school. The studies involved young people aged 20 to 29 and teachers of Handicraft and Home Economics in basic schools. The outcome of the research revealed that both youngsters and specialist teachers were aware of the necessity to modernize the subject and its importance in managing independent lives. The means offered for increasing students' motivation in acquiring Craft were modernizing the subject, usage of various teaching methods, widening the choice of study materials and considering students' wishes. The results of the research formed the foundations for designing new syllabi for Home Economics and Handicraft.

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