https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jfecs <p>The Journal of Consumer Sciences is an official publication of the South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences (SAAFECS).</p> <p>The Journal of Consumer Sciences (JCS) publishes articles that focus on consumer experiences in different places and from different perspectives and methodological positions. The journal will consider research from within the fields of hospitality, consumer studies, consumer science, home economics, family studies, consumer education, consumer rights, and consumer behaviour. We also consider household and/or individual food security to be a facet of food consumerism and hence those working in this field should consider publishing in this journal. The journal also welcomes current consumer-related research that examines the impact of environmental, community, and sustainability issues.</p> South African Association for Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences en-US Journal of Consumer Sciences 3078-4050 Copyright is owned by the journal. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jfecs/article/view/280752 <p>This study explores the challenges in implementing the Food and Nutrition syllabus of the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE), focusing on teacher perspectives regarding school-based assessments (SBAs). Food and Nutrition, a practically oriented subject within Home Economics, enables students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical activities (Asare &amp; Asare 2023:42). Key areas examined in this article include instructional challenges, oversight of practical activities, and administrative support for resource access.</p> <p>Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach as proposed by Maarouf (2019) and Ponce &amp; Pag’an-Maldonado (2015), the research collected qualitative and quantitative data from 37 randomly selected secondary school teachers in Lesotho, specializing in Food and Nutrition. Data which were gathered through questionnaires and interviews, were analysed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data (Creswell &amp; Creswell 2018).</p> <p>The findings reveal that the extensive LGCSE syllabus, which must be completed in two years, lacks clear guidelines, is overwhelming for teachers and impacting their curriculum decisions. Despite 82% of teachers having significant teaching experience, substandard working conditions hinder their effectiveness. Although 88% of teachers engage students in practical work, monitoring large groups is challenging due to resource constraints, which affects creativity and individual participation. Insufficient resources result in substandard outcomes and inadequate student preparation, especially for SBAs. The syllabus' breadth, coupled with limited time and other resources, restricts students' opportunities to practice essential skills, significantly impacting their learning experience.</p> B Pheto-Moeti BM Taolane MAM Mafaesa Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Consumer Sciences 2025-01-30 2025-01-30