Art>> Teaching • Swaziland
In Swaziland’s schools, art programmes are considered unaffordable luxuries. But one school has broken from the pack and is using art to improve academic performance of children, reports IRIN.
Since the government lacks a designated education budget, it has little capacity to cater to the special needs of children who are poor learners or those with different abilities. Even so, the High School for the Deaf, near the eastern provincial capital Siteki, has found an innovative way to improve students’ learning.
It recently launched a pilot art project for 50 underperforming learners, meant to equip them with the skills necessary to produce indigenous handicrafts, for which Swaziland’s tourism industry provides a market. The programme has yielded unexpected benefits. Thabsile Kunene, a teacher at the school, told IRIN that since the art classes began, “the students are focused more on their studies”.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.