The Sunday News
Raisedon Baya
THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Province held its second annual Science, Sports and Arts Festival last week at Milton High School. Let me quickly say this is one programme that, if handled well, will surely change the face of the arts not only in the province but the country.
Before the introduction of the new curriculum in schools advocates of a holistic education system used to scream for the proper recognition of arts and culture within the formal school set up and not as just co-curricular activities or something teachers gave students to do when they were tired of teaching.
Of course the screaming went on for years before the powers that be relented and ushered in the new curriculum that acknowledges and celebrates diversity of talents among children and students.
When the festival idea was introduced last year most teachers and students complained about the confusion and lack of seriousness around the arts activities the programme sought to promote. One year later things seem to have changed. There was obvious order and seriousness during the three days of PASSAF last week. More importantly the festival could turn out to be the ideal platform to unearth and nurture creative talents in schools.
The same festivals could also be platforms where professional artistes, and professional festivals, could go to scout for new and fresh talents to push into mainstream platforms.
Rarely have I seen so many heads of schools and senior officials from the ministry attending an arts and culture event like what I saw last week at Milton High during PASSAF. It was a full house.
That should be a normal thing. Parents and families of the young talents and even art lovers should also be part of these events in the future. It is a festival for crying out loud, not just another schools competition. I liked the fact that schools owned the event. From the organisation to adjudication, facilitation and even MCing teachers were involved. And that is the way to go.
What we need now is to see these teachers going out into the sector and seeking further knowledge and skills to make their arts activities and festivals bigger and better organised.
For the uninitiated PASSAF simply means Provincial Annual Schools Science, Sports and Arts Festival. This is an exhibition of young talents from schools with the sole aim of talent identification and nurturing. The platform gives learners the opportunity to showcase their talents outside academic expectations.
This year students participated in the following categories: music, dance, poetry, modelling, cheer-leading, Karate, Wushu and others. The top winners of the 2018 edition were Mzilikazi District. Bulawayo Central and Reigate districts were first and second runners up.
Since PASSAF is a festival it needs to grow more colour and flair to attract not just more talent but also audiences for the different disciplines on offer. Children must have fun. To add more flair and fun, especially on the opening and closing ceremonies professional guest artistes could be added on the programme. These, if chosen well, could also attract audiences outside schools. Bringing in guest artistes could also inspire the young talents and also show them the bigger picture of the industry most aspire to go into.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education must be applauded for the new curriculum that recognises that education is not just academic; that there is more to learning than book knowledge. This new curriculum acknowledges and respects diversity and places arts and culture on the same pedestal with science and sports. With this curriculum students with talents outside traditional sports like soccer, netball, volley, cricket, rugby, basketball and tennis now have a platform to showcase and shine. Those that are really good can even pursue a career in their chosen field.
Remember the world is changing and that people with different talents are making it out there. Athletes are making a living out of their talents. Footballers are earning ridiculous amounts of money from their talents.
Actors like Danai Gurira in Black Panther and others are living far better lives than that of local doctors and lawyers because of their talents. It’s parents and teachers that realised this reality and encouraged children to explore their talents and make the best out of them.
A big thumbs up to PASSAF organising committee. We all know it’s not easy but there you are, show the whole of Bulawayo that it’s possible.
