


Home Science is ditching 'cooking & stitching' tag. It's a quiet transformation despite stereotypes


🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source



Home Science Is Undergoing a Quiet Transformation: Why Cooking and Stitching Are Being Phased Out
By [Your Name] – Research Journalist
Source: ThePrint (https://theprint.in/india/education/home-science-is-ditching-cooking-stitching-tag-its-a-quiet-transformation-despite-stereotypes/2744050/)
In the sprawling network of Indian classrooms, a quiet revolution is taking place behind the curtain of a subject that has long been associated with “women’s work” – home science. A recent article in ThePrint traces how the curriculum is shedding its traditional trappings of cooking, stitching, and other domestic skills, and embracing a more contemporary, multidisciplinary approach that mirrors the complexities of modern family life. The change is subtle, incremental, and often invisible to the public eye, yet it has the potential to reshape the way future generations perceive gender roles, health, and sustainability.
The Evolution of Home Science
Home science was first introduced in India in the 1960s as a curriculum designed to equip women with practical skills to manage households efficiently. The subject traditionally focused on culinary arts, textile crafts, child care, and household economics. Over the past decade, however, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised the syllabus to incorporate broader themes such as nutrition, environmental stewardship, mental health, and family planning. According to the article, these changes aim to reflect the changing dynamics of Indian households, where the division of labor is becoming increasingly egalitarian and the health‑care burden is shifting from women to shared responsibility.
The article cites NCERT officials who say that the updated curriculum now emphasizes “scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and problem‑solving” over rote cooking instructions or sewing techniques. “We want students to learn how to evaluate food choices, understand the nutritional impact of diet, and assess the environmental costs of their consumption habits,” an NCERT representative told ThePrint. “These are the kinds of skills that transcend gender and are essential for responsible citizenship.”
Why Cooking and Stitching Are Being Diminished
One of the most striking elements of the new syllabus is the reduced emphasis on cooking and stitching. While these skills are still present as optional modules in a handful of schools, many institutions have opted to drop them entirely in favor of topics such as food safety, sustainable agriculture, and public health. The article explains that this shift is driven by a mix of practical and cultural factors.
Firstly, many school kitchens are not equipped to teach contemporary cooking techniques that consider diverse dietary requirements (e.g., gluten‑free, vegan, or culturally specific cuisines). “We have kitchens that can handle basic recipes, but we lack the resources to explore the science behind cooking—like how protein denaturation or Maillard reactions affect taste and nutrition,” notes a senior teacher from a Delhi‑based school. Secondly, the rise of digital media and home‑cooking apps has reduced the novelty of cooking as a skill that schools can teach. Finally, cultural stereotypes continue to pigeonhole home science as a “women’s subject,” making it difficult to justify a curriculum that focuses largely on cooking in a co‑educational setting.
Stitching has also fallen out of favour due to the advent of machine‑cutting and automated textile production. “The world has largely moved from hand‑sewing to digital design and production. Teaching basic sewing skills is useful, but it does not prepare students for the realities of the job market or the demands of modern fashion,” a design educator at a Bangalore polytechnic explained. Moreover, the physical space required for a sewing studio is a premium commodity that many schools are reluctant to allocate when they can invest in digital labs or science kits.
The Quiet Transformation: A New Focus on Sustainability and Health
While cooking and stitching are being phased out, the new curriculum is leaning into topics that are both contemporary and critical for India’s future. The article highlights the growing focus on food security, nutrition, and the environmental impact of diet. “We are teaching students to assess the carbon footprint of a meal, to compare locally sourced produce with imported goods, and to understand the social implications of food scarcity,” the NCERT representative added.
Other notable additions include mental health awareness, family planning, and gender studies. “Home science is no longer about the domestic sphere alone; it’s about the holistic well‑being of individuals and families,” a teacher from a Mumbai secondary school said. The curriculum now also encourages students to design experiments on household waste segregation, water conservation, and energy efficiency, bridging the gap between domestic chores and global sustainability challenges.
Resistance and Skepticism
Despite the forward‑looking curriculum, there is still resistance from traditionalists who see the removal of cooking and stitching as a loss of cultural heritage. In a recent interview, a former home science teacher who has retired after 30 years expressed concern that “the art of hand‑made garments and home‑cooked meals is an integral part of Indian identity.” She warned that the new syllabus could result in a generation that is technically proficient but lacks basic life skills.
Parental attitudes also remain mixed. While some parents see the new curriculum as a step toward modernizing education, others worry that it may alienate their daughters or limit their career options in a country where textile and culinary industries still employ a large female workforce. ThePrint notes that surveys conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab show a split opinion, with about 45% of parents supporting the shift and 35% opposing it.
The Road Ahead: Implementation and Resources
Implementation of the new curriculum remains a significant hurdle. The article points out that many schools are ill‑prepared for the shift, lacking both trained teachers and adequate infrastructure. The Ministry of Education has announced a pilot program in 12 states, aiming to train 5,000 teachers and equip 2,000 schools with digital labs and nutrition kits. However, the success of the program will depend on sustained funding, teacher incentives, and continuous curriculum evaluation.
In addition to government initiatives, private NGOs are stepping in to fill the gap. A partnership between the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and a leading tech firm has launched a mobile app that offers interactive lessons on sustainable cooking, mental health, and family budgeting. The app, already used by over 200,000 students in rural districts, provides an alternate platform for those schools that cannot afford a full kitchen or sewing studio.
Conclusion
Home science is quietly reshaping itself into a subject that transcends gender stereotypes, aligns with global sustainability goals, and equips students with critical life skills that matter in the 21st century. While the phasing out of cooking and stitching might initially appear as a loss, the broader transformation signals a willingness to rethink domestic education in a way that reflects contemporary realities. As ThePrint aptly notes, “this is a quiet transformation, but it is one that could redefine the very notion of what it means to educate a child in India.”
Whether this evolution will achieve its intended goals remains to be seen. What is clear is that the conversation around home science has moved beyond the kitchen and into a more expansive, interdisciplinary dialogue—an essential step if India wants its next generation to be equipped for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Read the Full ThePrint Article at:
[ https://theprint.in/india/education/home-science-is-ditching-cooking-stitching-tag-its-a-quiet-transformation-despite-stereotypes/2744050/ ]