The Formation of Home Economics Education in reference to CIE Documents (1) : From December 1945 to August 1946

Abstract

The process of forming home economics education in Japan after World War II has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to clear the process by referring to GHQ/SCAP CIE Papers from December 1945 to August 1946. Following results were obtained. 1. The Education Division of the Civil Information and Education (CIE) which had been set up in GHQ/SCAP, proceeded to textbook screening from December 1945. Sewing textbooks were approved in early 1946 but cooking textbooks were unprepared for the new school term. 2. Capt. Donovan, Women's Education Officer of the Education Division of CIE, believed that it was necessary to decrease the number of school hours of cooking and sewing courses in order to improve women's education in Japan. 3. Preliminary Committee of the Curriculum Revision was set up by Ministry of Education in April 1946. On June 15, 1946, the Committee submitted the interim report on new curriculum for elementary schools which included sewing for 5th and 6th grades. 4. On August 1, 1946, home economics education was introduced into the tentative curriculum for elementary schools. It indicated the Committee's intention that cooking and sewing should be integrated as home economics education.