ART EDUCATION IN KENYA AND HOW IT CAN HELP SOLVE KENYA’S CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS: A REVIEW
Journal Title: Educational Research International - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Art featured in all spheres of traditional African society: body art, symbolic writing, attire, religious rituals, and ceremonies, for identity in rank, status, and occupation, as decoration, etc. Creativity varied amongst communities which augmented their uniqueness. Even though colonization contributed towards uniting Kenya, traditional culture was gradually eroded in favor of British where traditional Art became obsolete. The two education curriculums implemented in Kenya since independence have done minimal to promote Art education contributing to it being disfavored as a viable career option since its classified under the blue-collar job group. Vocational training institutes; mainly a product design industry who’s foundation is Art education, was established in Kenya to assist in job creation for those gifted in craftsmanship. Art education contributes towards developing problem-solving abilities with practical solutions and in their creative application. The government hoped that the vocationally trained would employ themselves eventually, however, this sector is gripped by various challenges, like their products being overlooked for imports, they lack finances to operate and invest in technology to help improve their products and have a competitive edge over imports. Some of their products lack creativity and are poorly executed as compared to imports. They are also challenged with mass production since their products are handmade. Kenya is currently facing an unemployment crisis whereby the Kenyan workforce (employers) are struggling to find competent employees with problem-solving skills and coping mechanisms to endure the work environment despite their university education. To address this issue, in January 2018, the government implemented a new education curriculum with emphasis on the relevance of Art education in equipping students with the above skills. This excerpt provides insight on the relevance of Art education in Kenya with the hope that it will be helpful towards the implementation exercise and benefit the Kenyan economy.
Authors and Affiliations
Jacqueline Okeyo, Prof. Xianyi Yang, Ass. Prof. Meiyang Wang
Keywords
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