Frederick Philander
13 April 2007
Windhoek — The Deputy Minister of Education this week encouraged greater understanding and appreciation for arts and handicrafts, as well as the importance of culture in the country's education system.
Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo was speaking at the official launch of a three-year arts, handicraft and culture education project agreement between Namibia, Finland, France and the Oruuano Artists Union of Namibia.
A number of artists, students and representatives of the National Institute of Educational Development (NIED) attended the launch at the College of the Arts.
"Cooperation such as this is needed if we are to improve the teaching of arts and handicraft in Namibian schools. Therefore, it is my sincere hope that the teachers, who will be directly involved in this programme will not only teach arts better, but will enhance the appreciation of arts, handicraft and the importance of culture in education," Ndjoze-Ojo pleaded.
This is the first project of its kind to be introduced by the union in Namibian schools after training had been given to a number of selected teachers.
"It is extremely important to realise that arts and culture are integral parts of our flagship, the Education Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) and Vision 2030. Against this background, the Ministry of Education pledges its support to teachers, developers of teaching and the entire education sector in Namibia as you carry out this important project," she said.
The administrator of the project, Vincent Mwemba, reiterated Oruuano Artists Union's commitment to the project through an agreement that was last year signed with the ministry of Education.
"Considering the importance of arts education, the Finnish-Namibian Society, our union and NIED signed an agreement in December 2006 that determines the three bodies assist the ministry of Education with the implementation of arts education in all Namibian schools. The first tangible evidence of the project will be a festival towards the end of this year at which learners will be able to showcase and display their talents and art works," Mwemba said. He said art education is an ideal way to widen the thinking and creativity of people.
"Handicraft and art education can support and help learning Mathematics as well as reading and writing. It helps learners to learn to control their own lives in developing their ability of solve problems. It is possible to integrate handicraft and art education in formal education. The question is, how to inspire teachers in planning lessons and to motivate both teachers and learners in order to arouse their interest in the cultural traditions of our country," he asserted.
He was also of the opinion that various possibilities exist to carry out handicraft and art education without new resources.
"Teachers can use their own teaching capacities and co-operate more with artists in the different cultural fields. Community networking is another basic tool that can be used to promote art education. The final goal is to strengthen respect and appreciation towards Namibian culture, handicraft and arts," Mwemba, who requested all stakeholders in the education sector to work towards successfully implementing the project on a national level, said.
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