Yes, I fought the teacher tooth and nail, but learned anyway. My big sister sewed for me and I saw no reason to learn. When my sis got married, I dug out my required notes from home ec and taught myself from them, with Dad's help. (Mom was a total loss at sewing, Dad had made clothes, including a suit for which he spun the wool.) It was required for girls. Boys got to take shop.
Home ec in the school where I taught until 2000 did not include any sewing, but included some cooking and meal planning as well as sex ed and a bit on budgetting. Still required.