From the information in the article describing the precarious state of teacher training in home economics (TESS, May 9), it could be inferred that the educational establishment has been indulging in brinkmanship over many years.
The problem was highlighted by The TES Scotland in 1997. The inaccuracy of statistics used by local authorities was defined as a contributory factor.
The irrational nature of the decisions being made by the universities was another concern.
It would appear that, since then, there has been a continuing lack of co-ordination between the major players in the Scottish Executive staffing exercise. With a key role being assumed by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, it is to be hoped that the young peo-ple who choose to study home economics will benefit from having a highly qualified home economics teacher in the classroom to ensure that their ambitions are not thwarted.
The All Saints Educational Trust has instigated an important piece of research into the skills and knowledge inculcated through a study of home economics. It should offer a new piece of evidence for the decision-makers to consider and endorse the superb contribution made by all those pioneering home economists, past, present and future.
Eileen Mullen Former adviser in technology North Lanarkshire Council
