|
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Speak out: Economics is not about cooking
By Miguel Antonio Garcia
AB Economics, USC
During my first weeks in the university, I was shocked to hear freshmen students ask me what an economics course was all about. Others confuse economics as a “cooking class.” Still others ask about the job opportunities economists have in the real world.
First of all, economics is not a cooking class. Do not confuse it with Home Economics. Economists do not bake pies; they study the best way products, like cakes, are made.
Economics is not a mere business course. Although firms apply many economic theories, the scope of economics soars farther and encompasses interests that include political science, psychology, law, etc.
Is the course difficult? In my opinion, students taking up the course got that impression because the subject was poorly taught in their high school years.
Textbooks prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd) lack the basic analytical concepts involved in this science. It does not have a strong foundation on supply-and-demand analysis.
From personal experience, the prescribed textbooks were written in the fashion of history books and in the process gave the impression of the course being dependent on memorization when in fact its real aspect is analysis.
In order to erase people’s fear of economics, DepEd should overhaul the curriculum.
Textbook authors catering to high school economics books should focus more on the foundations of supply and demand, applications of economics to the country, introduction of important theories, and the diverse career options in the economic field.
DepEd should revise its current grading system, converting Social Studies course into a major subject. This would have an impact on students’ impression on the course.
Also, there’s an urgent need to improve the teaching of mathematics subjects in both the elementary and high school levels.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
