Observation

This question was popular among the candidates but their performance was poor due to poor map work and inability to explain the points to score full marks.

The following characteristics of local craft industries would have been explained to score full marks.

• use of local raw materials;
• simple tools are used;
• products mainly sold locally;
• less capital intensive;
• time/energy consuming;
• skills passed from generation to generation;
• use of family labour;
• need less electrical power;
• requires limited space/open space;
• traditional method of production;
• products are highly artistic;
• individual/family ownership;
• prices of products are negotiable;
• irregular income;
• irregular working hour;
• small labour force;
• all year round employment;
• less government support;
• some with long period of apprenticeship.

The following problems of local craft industries were expected from the candidates to score good marks.

• shortage of raw materials;
• inadequate capital;
• low interest shown by the youths;
• competition from imported substitutes;
• shortage of labour;
• inadequate transport;
• taste for foreign goods;
• limited research application;
• low patronage;
• limited production;
• little or no government support.