THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS’ EDUCATION AND THEIR SELF-PERCEIVED COMPETENCE FOR TEACHING HOME ECONOMICS

Relevant teacher qualifications that include specialist knowledge and knowledge in didactics significantly influence the level of achievement of education goals during the teaching process. Teacher's perception of their own professional competence to teach may depend on their qualification which is linked to the education obtained. The purpose of the research was to find out how teachers who teach Home Economics in Slovenian elementary schools estimate their competence to teach Home Economics contents, in reference to their formal education. 89 teachers of 5th and 6th grade Home Economics participated in the research. They were classified according to their formal education, either in the group with completed Home Economics studies (relevant education) or in the group without these studies (irrelevant education). A questionnaire was developed for the teachers to assess their own teaching competence. The obtained data was analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results indicated that teachers with completed home economics studies who teach Home Economics feel more competent to teach Home Economics contents than teachers without completed relevant studies. Differences in their perceptions exist in all four Home Economics modules, i.e. economics, textile and clothing, living and environment, food and nutrition. This leads to the conclusion that relevant teacher education is important for teaching Home Economics in all specialist areas of home economics education. As regards providing quality education process and achieving Home Economics education goals, the results indicate that relevant qualifications of teachers should be ensured. Teachers with irrelevant education should be provided with additional professional training. Key words: teachers' education, teachers' competencies, Home Economics, Home Economics teachers, home economics education.