The Official Ping Yi Secondary School Website

 

Dear Teachers,

I am humbled when requested by C&T HOD, Mr. Remington Chen to pen a speech for the Homec Dept.  Yet it is an honor to be able to share how home economics has had always played important roles in the economy.

Quoting Mr. Chan Soo Sen, (Minister of State for Education then) who was Guest-of-Honor for the 13th Biennale ARAHE Congress 2005, I will never forget how he likened Home Economics to the pile of foundation which is not visible when the building structure is up but remove the pile, the building collapses.

In the twentieth century, Home economists played an active role during the national influenza pandemic crisis, serving as hospital dietitians and Red Cross nurses and volunteers.  During the Great Depression of the 1930s, home economists educated thousands of impoverished families about ways to maintain proper nutrition and make decent clothing with very little money. This advice greatly enhanced home economists' reputation as advocates for American children and families. During World War II, home economists planted victory gardens to help ensure an adequate supply of food and wrote widely about how to maintain nutrition in a time of rationing and scarcity. Home economists built a substantial national reputation through their efforts in these crises.

As Home Economics teachers, our roles are no less important.  Our subject has constantly kept abreast with current trends and changes.  We are mindful of the calling to impart to our students innovative ideas to transmit not only nutritional health but values because the home is changing in a rapidly advancing technological and entrepreneurial era to name some; late marriages, working parents and more nuclear compared to extended families of the past. 

Indeed Home Economics with its Coursework component has evolved into a multidisciplinary and integrative with an emphasis on food science applied to the real world of the home, families and communities. It is a progressive field that requires us teachers to continually update ourselves.

And in Ping Yi, I am most proud that we Homec teachers value the importance of working as a team, in continuing our relentless efforts towards achieving value-added ness for the students and school.

Your child is in good hands and we will shape them to be effective and confident learner.

 
Mrs. Irene Seah
F&N Program Coordinator
Senior Teacher