Discussions on the Future of Arts and Sports in Senior Secondary Schools
The Ministry of Education has faced growing criticism for its lack of preparedness to effectively integrate Arts and Sports as viable pathways in senior secondary schools. This criticism has come to a head during the ongoing 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru City, where thespians and teachers have been questioning the Ministry’s approach to mainstreaming the Arts sector. • The Creative Sector Challenges
• The Need for Robust Policy Guidance
• A Pathway to Nurturing Creativity and Physical Abilities
The Challenges in the Creative Sector
Kenya’s creative industry holds significant untapped potential, but it receives minimal support from the government. According to Michael Pundo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Cultural Centre, this lack of support is due to the lack of statistics showing the industry’s contribution to the economy. As a result, policymakers give the creative sector very little attention. “Because there are no current statistics to show how much the creative industry is contributing to the economy, policy makers give it very little attention.”
The neglect of the creative sector has resulted in a situation where “everyone is doing something on their own,” a circumstance that is not helping the industry as a whole. Pundo also highlighted the need for robust policy guidance and implementation to protect artists’ intellectual property and ensure they benefit from their creative works.
Key Challenges in the Music Industry
The music industry, in particular, faces challenges such as copyright issues. Pundo pointed out that the creative economy in Nigeria is growing due to collaborations and partnerships, which is something that Kenya should also explore.
| Key Challenges | Solution |
| Copyright issues | Collaborations and partnerships to promote industry regulations and artist earnings. |
| Lack of statistics showing the industry’s contribution to the economy | Developing statistics to inform policy decisions and allocate resources accordingly. |
Mainstreaming the Arts and Sports Pathway
The Arts and Sports Science pathway is designed to nurture creativity and physical abilities, preparing students for careers in the arts and sports sectors. However, the discussions regarding the overlooked creative industry raised questions about how the Ministry plans to mainstream this pathway, given the current challenges within the sector. • The Importance of Practical Art and Economic Benefits
• The Role of the Ministry in Mainstreaming the Pathway
The Importance of Practical Art and Economic Benefits
Stakeholders emphasized the need for schools to move beyond theoretical knowledge and enable students to engage in practical art that has economic benefits. As one teacher asked, “How are schools prepared to handle these pathways, considering that the arts face numerous challenges? How do we move beyond theoretical knowledge to enable students to engage in practical art that has economic benefits?”
“How are schools prepared to handle these pathways, considering that the arts face numerous challenges? How do we move beyond theoretical knowledge to enable students to engage in practical art that has economic benefits?”
The Role of the Ministry in Mainstreaming the Pathway
Pundo also stated that the creative industry still lacks robust policy guidance and implementation to protect artists’ intellectual property and ensure they benefit from their creative works. The Ministry must take a more proactive approach to mainstreaming the Arts and Sports pathway, providing schools with the necessary resources and support to ensure students can engage in practical art that has economic benefits.
The Importance of Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Prof Christopher Odhiambo, the National Chairman of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in promoting the creative economy. The inaugural conference, which brought together experts from across the continent, was incorporated into this year’s festivals to promote knowledge exchange.
| Key Benefits | Solutions |
| Improved knowledge exchange and collaboration | Incorporating conferences into festivals to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration. |
| Monetizing creative content effectively | Inviting experts from Nigeria and South Africa to discuss how to monetize creative content effectively. |
The Road to a Vibrant Creative Industry
Nigeria and South Africa currently lead Africa’s creative landscape, with Rwanda emerging as a leader in East Africa. Both countries have developed music industry infrastructures that focus on industry regulations, allowing artists to earn revenue from their work. “The creative economy in Nigeria is growing due to collaborations and partnerships—something we should also explore as a country.”
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The Way Forward
The Ministry of Education must take a proactive approach to mainstreaming the Arts and Sports pathway, providing schools with the necessary resources and support to ensure students can engage in practical art that has economic benefits. The Ministry must also develop statistics to inform policy decisions and allocate resources accordingly. “We want to alleviate the anxiety of ‘What next?’ after the festivals. We have invited experts from Nigeria and South Africa to discuss how to monetize creative content effectively. Our goal is to explore avenues for monetizing what we are showcasing to benefit schools and learners.”
By working together, we can build a vibrant creative industry that benefits everyone involved. The Ministry of Education, schools, and stakeholders must collaborate to create a pathway that nurtures creativity and physical abilities, preparing students for careers in the arts and sports sectors.