Investigating the Role of Consumer Science Education to Enhance Social Cohesion: Opportunities for Underprivileged Students from Rural Communities in Eswatini

Abstract

This research looks at the groundbreaking role of Consume Science Education in nurturing social cohesion among marginalise learners in rural Eswatini. It tackles socio-economic obstacles such as scarcity, insufficient learning resources, and structured disparities that infringes development and equality. Consumer science education promotes resourcefulness and foster financial inclusion, furthermore it equips students with practical skills, financial literacy and decision making. The research showed a clear connection between education and community development. It continuous to provide hands on solution to reduce disparities and promotes community resilience. A descriptive and survey designs were applied while adopting a qualitative approach to administer semi structured interviews during data collection. The participants were selected through purposively sampling. Using Braun and Clarkes outline, the researcher conducted thematic analysis for collected data, while upholding informed consent and confidentiality ensure ethical consideration. The study revealed that consumer science education empowers students with vital skills on finance management and malnutrition, addressing barriers financial challenges and structural poverty, while fostering all-encompassing education to minimise any gaps. The importance of integrating consumer science education into broader educational programs is highlighted by barriers like restricted access and this can be achieved through emphasizing community engagement. Creating focused financial aid initiatives and establishing community outreach to showcase the value of consumer science, emphasizing its potential to equip underprivileged learners to foster equity and enhance social cohesion for continuous growth is recommended.