Availability and Utilisation of Instructional Materials in Home Economics Education in Cross River State

This study investigates the availability and utilisation of instructional materials in home economics education in secondary schools in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Instructional materials play a pivotal role in making abstract concepts in home economics tangible and accessible to students. Despite repeated curriculum reforms, many schools still lack adequate materials for subjects such as nutrition, clothing and textiles, and family living. A descriptive survey design is adopted, with 200 home economics teachers across 30 secondary schools in Calabar Municipality, Ogoja, and Bekwarra local government areas. Data are collected using a validated questionnaire measuring material availability, frequency of use, and teacher perceptions of effectiveness. Direct observation is employed to cross-verify stated material availability. Frequency distribution tables and mean scores facilitate data interpretation. Findings are expected to reveal significant shortfalls in both availability and effective utilisation of materials, with teachers relying heavily on verbal instruction due to resource constraints. The study also examines how class size, school ownership type, and location affect material utilisation patterns. Recommendations include a standardised material provision benchmark for home economics classrooms, annual budget allocation for consumable instructional resources, and training for teachers on improvising culturally relevant teaching aids from local materials. Findings will inform state education policy reform and support Ministry of Education planning for home economics subject improvement in Cross River State. Keywords: instructional materials, home economics education, Cross River State, teaching resources, secondary schools