William pitcher college Department Of Applied Science

William pitcher college Department Of Applied Science

The Applied Sciences Department comprises two subsections namely Agriculture and Home Economics (Consumer Science). The department offers subjects under the Primary Teacher’s Diploma (PTD) programme.
Our Vision
We strive to inspire and equip prospective Primary Teachers to be highly competent in practical Applied Sciences.
Our Mission
We commit ourselves to impart knowledge, develop skills, and stimulate positive attitudes toward Agriculture and Home Economics (Consumer Science) while instilling social, economical, moral and aesthetic values to prospective Primary Teachers.
Subjects and Courses

Applied Science department offers the following subjects: Home Economics and Agriculture
Home economics

Courses offered include:

  • Clothing and Textiles
  • Family Life Education
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Food Preparation
  • Home Economics education
  • Home Management
  • Laundry

Objectives

  • To impart the basic philosophy of Home Economics to the students teachers who will turn impart the knowledge to primary school pupils;
  • To teach students to economize by wise management of family resources;
  • To help the students to be able to promote, rediscover, appreciate, utilize and develop local indigenous commodities;
  • To teach the students how to care for the family members of different age groups;
  • To alert the students on their role as consumers in the economy; and,
  • To equip students as a resource people in the community on matters concerning Home Economics.

Course Content

  • Clothing and Textiles:- sewing equipment; basic stitches; knitting; crocheting; fibres and fabrics.
  • Family Life Education:- the family; sexually transmitted diseases; personal care and hygiene; child care; roles and responsibilities of family members; coping with family crises; first aid; home care of the sick.
  • Food and Nutrition:- nutrients; factors determining energy requirements; basic food groups; malnutrition and other deficiencies diseases; digestion and absorption of food; meal planning.
  • Food Preparation:- introduction to kitchen equipment and uses, hygiene and washing up; homely measures and weighing equipment; the cooking of food; proteins; vegetable and fruits; cereals; food buying handling and storage; flour mixture; batter; sandwiches; beverages; food quality; sauces; salads; use of left overs; traditional foods and serving; preparation of low cost meals; preservation and storage of foods; pastries; table etiquette; packed meals.
  • Home management- choice and cleaning of kitchen utensils and equipment; care and cleaning of windows; safety in the kitchen; sinks and drains; care and cleaning of brushes; disposal of household refuse; household pests; monetary control in the home; floors and floor covering; flower arrangement; types of wood and finishes; care and cleaning of leather.
  • Laundry- choice , care and use of laundry equipment; laundry materials; care of natural and synthetic fibres; care labeling; step in laundry; stain removal; sponging and pressing; dry cleaning of small items; treatment of baby clothes.

Agriculture
Courses offered include:

  • Agricultural Economics and Management
  • Agricultural Education
  • Animal Science and Health
  • Crop Production
  • Farm Structures and Machinery

Objectives

  • To provide the student teachers with training in the teaching of agriculture as practical subject;
  • To encourage student teachers to promote appositive attitude towards agriculture so that it will be regarded as a enjoyable and profitable business activity;
  • To encourage teachers to relate the value of agriculture to the family and community and show how improved agriculture can contribute to world wide campaign for freedom from hunger;
  • To demonstrate appropiate methods of teaching for agricultural education;
  • To develop acceptable plans for teaching in the laboratory;
  • To encourage teachers to base their instruction largely on the practical experience that pupils may possess and on observations made on the family or school farm;
  • To develop an understanding of training, education and knowledge needed or various agriculture occupations;
  • To develop confidence and resourcefulness in solving the problems of a rural environment , so that teachers can provide leadership in helping to realize the agriculture potential of the country;
  • To explain the role of development agencies in the programme of agriculture;
  • To grow a variety of vegetables and crops in small plots and keep small livestock;
  • To emphasize through direct experience the importance of agriculture as ` a business activity;


Course Content

  • Agricultural Education:- role of agricultural education in Swaziland; administrative structure of a school agriculture programme; planning primary agricultural programmes; methods of teaching; instructional materials; how to organize practical classes; assessing practicals.
  • Crop Production-vegetable production; soil and conservation; crop anatomy and physiology; field crop production; fruit tree propagation; crop protection.
  • Animal Science and Health- poultry production; cattle production; small livestock husbandry.
  • Agricultural Economics and Management- record keeping; farm budgeting; development agencies; marketing of farm products.
  • Farm Structures and Machinery- farm tools, farm mechanization; farm safety; farm buildings and fencing.
  • Activities


Practicals

For effective teaching of Agriculture and Home Economics emphasis is laid on practical activities. Therefore the programme involves compulsory practical sessions which are assessed by the tutors as part of the continuous assessment mark for the students.
Teaching practice

This is the period when students are attached to school to practically demonstrate teaching of the applied science under the supervision of the cooperating teacher and college supervisor. Teaching practice is also compulsory and is completed to fulfill requirement of the Primary Teacher’s Diploma.
Projects

The students are frequently engaged in small projects mainly within the institution to enhance their skills and experience in the different courses respectively.
Research
Each student is required to conduct a research as a partial fulfillment of the Primary Teachers’ Diploma.