Consumer Skills for All - A report by the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

Abstract

This study was designed to advise the Council in its development, targeting and implementation of a programme to improve consumer skills throughout the Northern Irelandcommunity. In order to do this as authoritatively as possible, the strategy adopted included identifying and interviewing key people, surveying specific groups of teachers and canvassing widely for inputs from professional, voluntary, government agency, local council and local community groups. The interviewees were drawn from a variety of organizations, groups and communities and provided a significant perspective on the wider community’s concerns. Questionnaire survey responses were administered to four samples of schoolteachers: primary teachers, secondary business studies teachers, secondary home economics teachers and secondary teachers of a variety of subjects. In addition, over 2,000 requests for inputs from various bodies were sent out in a postal circulation to all local councils, political parties, youth and community centres, advice centres and representative organizations. Display notices requesting input were also sent for display in all libraries, schools and community centres. Successful contacts were made with respondents from the potentially vulnerable sectors of society including ethnic groups, older persons and disadvantaged communities.