Home Economics - Junior Cert: The home economics papers appeared to present few difficulties yesterday. Teachers said the exams at both higher and ordinary level were predictable.
Teachers said they were delighted that the exam was becoming much more modern in its tone and content.
Ms Maureen Nugent, of Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, said the higher-level paper - taken by about three-quarters of candidates - was very fair.
She said the language and general content was easy to understand.
Home economics is a hugely popular subject at Junior Cert level, attracting about 20,000 students. The vast majority of these proceed to take the subject at Leaving Cert level.
Aside from being regarded as enjoyable by many students, it is also seen as being relatively straight-forward compared to some other subjects.
An increasing number of male students are taking the subject at both Junior and Leaving Cert level. They say this is due in part to the popularity of celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver.
The Junior Cert course is not just concerned with cookery. It also deals with areas such as living skills, basic hygiene, the role of the family, consumer rights and other issues.
At Leaving Cert level the subjects range across an even more diverse array of issues.
Many male students now do cookery as part of their transition year programme. This is also helping to increase the popularity of home economics at Leaving Cert level.
Yesterday's ordinary paper was also well received. Most students tend to score well in this paper.
Ms Maureen McGivern, a TUI subject representative, said the focus on practical work helps students to gain living skills.
