JAMB Home Economics Syllabus
This is the JAMB UTME syllabus for Home Economics, covering 25 topics. Each topic lists what you are expected to study and the objectives — what you should be able to do — based on the official JAMB syllabus.
General Objectives
The Home Economics syllabus is designed to enable candidates to:
- Acquire knowledge of the concepts and principles of Home Economics education.
- Apply the principles of foods and nutrition to the planning, selection and preparation of meals and the adoption of food hygiene, safe and sanitary habits.
- Equip candidates with knowledge and skills in clothing and textiles, including the selection of appropriate clothing for all occasions and body types.
- Apply the principles of home management to housing selection, family living, and the planning, arrangement and furnishing of the home.
Detailed Home Economics Syllabus
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Home Economics
Contents
- Meaning, scope and importance of Home Economics
- Objectives and ideals of Home Economics
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- examine the importance of Home Economics to the individual, family and society
- identify the objectives of Home Economics
- determine the scope of Home Economics
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Areas/Careers in Home Economics
Contents
- Home Management (interior decoration, credit management, florist)
- Foods and Nutrition (catering, dietetics, nutritionist, public health education)
- Clothing and Textiles (fashion designing)
- Family and Child Development (early childhood education)
- Teaching, counselling, media and research
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- recommend possible vocations in the different areas
- relate the skills required to each vocation
- assess the benefits of each vocation
- identify current vocations in Home Economics
- identify sources of career information
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Interrelationship of Home Economics with Other Subjects
Contents
- Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Fine Arts, Economics and Mathematics
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- compare the different areas of study from which Home Economics derives knowledge
- determine the contributions of these subjects to Home Economics
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Principles of Home Management
Contents
- Meaning of Home Management
- Steps in the management process
- Decision-making: meaning and process
- Motivation for Home Management (goals, values, standards, needs, wants, likes and dislikes)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- highlight the meaning of Home Management
- identify the steps involved in the management process
- determine issues for decision-making in the home
- examine the role of motivators in home management
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Resources
Contents
- Human Resources: time management (definition, types, worktime types, factors influencing use, advantages); energy (definition, reasons for energy management, work simplification, guidelines); skills, creativity and attitudes
- Material Resources: income and money management (meaning, types of income, principles); household budgeting (steps)
- Economic security of the family: bank accounts, traditional savings, building societies, insurance
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify resources available to the individual and the family
- determine the steps in household budgeting
- examine ways of family saving
- apply time management principles to work simplification
- examine sources of income
- give reasons for saving family income
- suggest alternative resources for home management
- analyse the principles of money management
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Family Living
Contents
- Definition and types of family; advantages and disadvantages of family types; family life cycle
- Family relationships (husband/wife, parent/child, sibling) and factors influencing relationships
- Basic personality profiles (meaning; extroversion, introversion, anxiety/stability)
- Adolescents and their problems
- Family crises
- Conflict and conflict resolution
- Human rights (meaning, fundamental rights, rights of women and children, violations)
- Communication and the role of ICT in the family
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- compare the types of family
- assess the effect of the family life cycle on family living
- differentiate between the types of family relationships
- determine the factors influencing family relationships
- assess the influence of family size on family relationships
- identify the characteristics and problems of adolescents
- compare personality profiles (extrovert, introvert)
- identify types of family crises and their solutions
- identify sources of conflict and strategies for resolution
- identify types of human rights and their violations
- suggest remedies for breaches of human rights
- identify hindrances to communication in the family
- determine factors that enhance family communication
- identify the advantages and disadvantages of ICT
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Marriage/Sex Education
Contents
- Meanings of marriage and sex education
- Boy/girl relationship, courtship, factors in choosing a partner
- Preparation for marriage; meaning and purpose of engagement; types of marriage (Islamic, Christian, Court, Traditional); family planning
- Reproductive health: STIs/STDs and HIV/AIDS
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between the types of marriage in Nigeria
- compare the advantages and disadvantages of inter-tribal marriages
- analyse the roles of courtship and engagement
- examine different family planning approaches
- identify types, causes and prevention of STIs/STDs
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Pregnancy and Childbirth
Contents
- Menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, labour, delivery and post-natal care
- Childcare (baby's layette, bathing, feeding, etc.)
- Care of toddlers; common ailments; immunization
- Child development (stages, social and emotional development, habit formation, character training, play and play materials)
- Parenting (meaning, importance, responsibilities)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- describe the conception-to-birth process
- determine infant care needs (birth to 5 years)
- determine factors affecting pregnancy
- analyse complications of labour
- differentiate between the stages of labour
- identify symptoms of common childhood ailments
- differentiate between types of play materials
- trace the stages of child development
- recommend suitable play materials
- identify parenting responsibilities
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Housing the Family
Contents
- Houses and home (types, factors of choice, methods of acquisition)
- Interior decoration (wall finishing; principles of art and design; colours, textures, lines, proportions; flower arrangements)
- Furniture and furnishings (types, factors of choice and position)
- Home utilities: water (sources, uses, purification); household fuels (gas, coal, kerosene, firewood, sawdust); electricity (terms, generation, safety); communication devices (GSM, computer)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between a house and a home
- determine factors influencing the choice of residence
- identify items for beautifying living areas
- suggest suitable colours and textures for interior decoration
- determine factors for choice and arrangement of furniture
- compare floral arrangements
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Home Surfaces
Contents
- Types and care of surfaces and coverings (wood, tiles, formica, concrete, plastics, linoleums, mats, rugs, terrazzo)
- Identification, preparation and use of cleaning agents (water, soap, abrasives, polish)
- Care processes (washing, sweeping, dusting, shampooing, buffing, polishing)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify common home surfaces
- suggest cleaning agents and their uses
- identify local materials used as cleaning agents
- compare the care of wood, plastic, concrete, rugs, mats and linoleum
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Sanitation in the Home
Contents
- Drainage systems (types and care)
- Disposal of household refuse
- Household pests and their control
- Pollution and health hazards
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between types of liquid household refuse
- suggest methods of refuse disposal
- identify common household pests and their control
- identify diseases transmitted by pests
- examine sources of pollution
- determine the health hazards of pollution
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Consumer Education
Contents
- Meaning and importance of consumer education
- Definition and types of market
- Distributors/consumer agents
- Sources of consumer information
- Purchasing practices
- Advertising
- Consumer rights and responsibilities
- Government agencies and regulatory bodies
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify types of media used by advertisers
- assess the advantages and disadvantages of advertising
- determine sources of consumer advice and information
- apply principles of consumer education to shopping
- analyse consumer rights and responsibilities
- identify government agencies and their functions
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Foods and Nutrition
Contents
- Definition of food and nutrition
- Classification of nutrients (sources, functions, deficiency diseases)
- Food classification (cereals, fats/oils, sugars, milk and milk products, meat, fish, pulses, nuts, fruits, vegetables)
- Nutrition and health (relation, factors affecting good nutrition such as income, seasonal foods, food availability)
- The digestive system
- Nutrition for special groups (infants, toddlers, adolescents, manual workers)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between food, nutrients, carbohydrates, mineral elements, fatty acids, enzymes, metabolism and digestion
- analyse the breakdown processes of large food molecules
- recommend nutritional needs for special groups
- determine the nutritional needs of expectant/lactating mothers, sedentary/manual workers, children aged 5-8 years and adolescents
- identify factors affecting good nutrition
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Meal Planning
Contents
- Principles of meal planning
- Dietary needs and meals for special occasions and groups
- Preparation and serving of meals
- Snacks and beverages (meaning, types, functions)
- Table setting, table manners and hostessing
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify factors influencing food choice and preparation
- plan meals for special occasions (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries)
- plan meals for special groups (vegetarians, invalids, convalescents, HIV/AIDS patients)
- identify types and functions of snacks and beverages
- compare types of table setting
- determine the qualities of a good hostess
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Cookers and Cooking
Contents
- Types, choice and care of cookers (gas, electric, microwave)
- Reasons for cooking
- Cooking terms
- Cooking methods (boiling, stewing, baking, steaming) — moist and dry methods
- Methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- suggest reasons for cooking
- identify types, choice and care of cookers
- group cooking methods into moist, dry, fast and slow methods
- determine the methods of heat transfer in various cooking processes
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Flours and Uses
Contents
- Types and uses of flour
- Raising agents (air, yeast, palm wine, steam)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify types and uses of flour
- select appropriate raising agents for basic mixtures
- use flour to produce assorted food items
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Basic Mixtures
Contents
- Pastries and batters: definition and uses
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between batters and pastries
- use batters and pastries for different purposes
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Scientific Methods in Foods and Nutrition
Contents
- Units of measurement and accuracy
- Tests for nutrients in food (protein, fats, carbohydrates)
- Recipe development
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- develop basic food preparation recipes
- demonstrate measurement skills
- detect nutrients in given foods
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The Kitchen
Contents
- Types of kitchen
- Kitchen arrangement
- Tools and equipment (selection, use, care)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- compare large and small kitchen equipment and tools
- determine factors for the selection of tools and equipment
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Safety and Hygiene
Contents
- Common home accidents (causes, preventive measures)
- First Aid (definition, components of a first aid kit, simple first aid for burns, scalds, cuts, bruises, bleeding, electric shock, poisoning, choking, bites)
- Kitchen, personal and food hygiene
- Communicable and noncommunicable diseases
- Sense organs and their care
- Exercise and cosmetics
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify common home accidents, their causes and preventive measures
- suggest ways of ensuring safety in the home
- specify the items in a first aid kit
- suggest simple first aid for scalds, cuts, bleeding and burns
- detect ways food becomes contaminated
- compare communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their prevention
- determine the effects of exercise and cosmetics on the skin
- describe the structure of the sensory organs
- suggest ways of caring for the sensory organs
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Food Storage and Preservation
Contents
- Meaning and purpose of preservation
- Causes of food spoilage
- Principles of food preservation
- Methods of food preservation
- Convenience foods (definition, types, selection guidelines, additives)
- Food additives (types and uses)
- Rechauffe dishes (meaning, rules, types, advantages and disadvantages)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify agents of food spoilage
- analyse the principles of food preservation and storage
- compare the advantages and disadvantages of preservation methods
- identify convenience foods
- compare the advantages and disadvantages of using convenience foods
- determine guidelines for selecting convenience foods
- identify food additives
- compare the advantages and disadvantages of rechauffe dishes
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Home Gardening
Contents
- Definition of home gardening
- Common gardening tools
- Advantages of home gardening
- Types of soil
- Suitable plants and crops for the home garden
- Preparation and care of the home garden
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- determine the procedures for home gardening
- identify gardening tools
- assess the economic importance of home gardening
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Fibres and Fabrics
Contents
- Fibre origin
- Textile terms (fibres, fabrics, yarn, staple, filament, blends)
- Locally made fabrics (Aso-oke, Okene cloth, Benue cloth, Akwete, Gwado)
- Classification and properties of fibres (cotton, rayon, silk)
- Fabric finishes (moth-proofing, embossing, durable pleating, flameproofing, stain-repellant)
- Prints (tie and dye, screen printing)
- Textile labelling (meaning, types; washing, cleaning, ironing and wool symbols)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- differentiate between weaves using diagrams
- determine fabric characteristics
- identify reasons for fabric finishing
- compare types of clothing labels
- state the uses and importance of locally made fabrics
- assess the importance of labels on garments
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Sewing Equipment and Garment Construction
Contents
- Sewing machine (basic tools and equipment, types, parts, use, care)
- Basic garment construction processes (stitches, seams, edge finishes, crossway strips)
- Style features (collars, yokes, pockets, frills, cuts, belts)
- Arrangement of fullness (darts, tucks, gathering, pleats, smocking, shirring)
- Decorative design (decorative stitches; needlecraft: tatting, crocheting, knitting, appliqué, patchwork, soft toys)
- Mending garments (patching, darning, renovation, batik/tie and dye)
- Garment construction (figure types, basic body measurement, pattern drafting, style selection for figures, factors of fabric choice)
- Wardrobe planning and maintenance (basic rules; influencing factors: weather, occupation, personal features)
- Good grooming, dress sense and accessories (definitions)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- identify types and parts of the sewing machine
- identify basic garment construction tools and equipment
- describe garment construction processes
- apply basic garment construction processes
- determine style features on garments
- determine style features that enhance the beauty and quality of garments
- apply decorative designs on fabrics
- differentiate between types of household clothing using various designs
- apply sewing knowledge to mend and renovate garments
- compare the processes of batik and tie and dye
- relate body figures to the selection of style and fabric
- determine factors in the choice of clothing
- identify factors to consider in wardrobe planning
- compare good grooming, dress sense, accessories and colour harmony
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Laundry and Care of Clothes
Contents
- Washing and finishing processes (sorting, mending, stain removal, soaking, rinsing, drying, ironing)
- Laundry agents (water, detergents, soaps, stiffeners, disinfectants)
- Stains (meaning, types, removing agents, removal process)
- Iron and ironing temperatures
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- arrange washing and finishing processes in the correct order
- compare the roles of stiffeners and disinfectants in laundry
- suggest common methods of stain removal
- differentiate between laundry agents, stains and ironing temperatures
Recommended Texts
- Anfani-Joe, M.E. and Ogunjide, L.O. (1993). Home Management for Senior Secondary School 1-3. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Anyakoha, E.U. and Eluwa, M. (1990). Home Management for Schools and Colleges. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers.
- Anyakoha, E.U. (2006). Home Economics for Junior Secondary Schools Books 1-3. Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers.
- Neil, A. and Hesmondhalgh, Z. (1985). A Complete Revision Course for O'Level and GCE, Revised Home Economics. Charles Co. Ltd.
- Ogunjide, L.O., Egbuchulam, B., Eyisi, O., Anfani-Joe, M.E. and Olusanya, J.O. (1993). Clothing and Textiles for Senior Secondary Schools 1-3. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Olusanya, J.O., Eyisi, O., Anfani-Joe, M.E., Ogunjide, L.O. and Egbuchulam, B. (1990). Foods and Nutrition for Secondary Schools Books 1-3. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Olusanya, J.O., Olojala, S.O., Bala, F. and Eyisi, O. (2000). Exam Focus, Food and Nutrition for WASSCE and SSCE. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many topics are in the JAMB Home Economics syllabus?
- The syllabus contains 25 topics arranged across four sections: Section A (Home Economics Education) has 3 topics, Section B (Home Management) has 9 topics, Section C (Foods and Nutrition) has 10 topics, and Section D (Clothing and Textiles) has 3 topics.
- How is the JAMB Home Economics syllabus structured?
- It is organised into four broad sections: Home Economics Education (introduction, careers and links to other subjects); Home Management (resources, family living, marriage, childcare, housing, sanitation and consumer education); Foods and Nutrition (nutrients, meal planning, cooking, hygiene and food preservation); and Clothing and Textiles (fibres, garment construction and laundry). Each topic lists CONTENTS to study and OBJECTIVES describing what candidates should be able to do.
- What are the main focus areas of JAMB Home Economics?
- The heaviest section is Foods and Nutrition with 10 topics, covering nutrients, meal planning, cooking methods, kitchen safety, food storage and preservation. Home Management is also substantial, covering family living, marriage and sex education, pregnancy and childcare, housing, sanitation and consumer education. Clothing and Textiles rounds it out with fibres, garment construction and laundry.
- How is JAMB Home Economics tested in the UTME?
- Like all UTME subjects, Home Economics is examined as a computer-based test of multiple-choice (objective) questions. Questions are drawn from across all four sections, so candidates should study the entire syllabus rather than focusing on a single area. The OBJECTIVES column for each topic indicates the skills questions are designed to test.
- What is the aim of the JAMB Home Economics syllabus?
- It aims to test candidates' knowledge of the concepts and principles of Home Economics education, their ability to apply foods and nutrition principles to meal planning and food hygiene, their knowledge and skills in clothing and textiles, and their ability to apply home management principles to housing and family living.
- Which textbooks are recommended for JAMB Home Economics?
- Recommended texts include Anyakoha & Eluwa's Home Management for Schools and Colleges, Anyakoha's Home Economics for Junior Secondary Schools, Anfani-Joe & Ogunjide's Home Management for Senior Secondary School, Ogunjide et al.'s Clothing and Textiles for Senior Secondary Schools, and Olusanya et al.'s Foods and Nutrition for Secondary Schools.
- Does the Home Economics syllabus cover practical skills?
- Yes. Although the UTME itself is a written objective test, the syllabus expects familiarity with practical processes such as garment construction (stitches, seams, pattern drafting), laundry and stain removal, cooking methods, nutrient tests in food, recipe development and home gardening. Many questions test understanding of how these practical processes are carried out.
- Is Home Economics a compulsory JAMB subject?
- No. English Language is the only compulsory UTME subject. Home Economics is an elective chosen by candidates whose intended courses (for example, Home Economics Education, Hospitality, Nutrition and Dietetics or related programmes) require or accept it. Always confirm the subject combination required for your specific course.
Source: the official JAMB UTME syllabus (jamb.gov.ng / IBASS). Always confirm details against the official syllabus.