It's not possible for all schools to have good playwrights

The arts are meant to entertain, inform and educate. This is what drama and other forms of creative arts have done for eons. Never have they danced to the authorities or been whimsical to nefarious sections of the society. What we should thus do is to make a self-introspection whenever found on the wrong side by the arts.

Unfortunately, the world due to ‘Trumpism’, has adopted an arc of authoritarianism to any divergent views. This is threatening democratic practices across the globe. Today in Africa and many parts of the world, repression has emerged as the cup upon which we drink from the altar of power. This notwithstanding the fact that the 4th industrial revolution has heralded a free flow of information which makes the current human species, more informed and aggressive in challenging societal ills.

It is in this context that we should look at the recent unwarranted and uncouth response to the play by Butere Girls High School recently. The excuses advanced by the authorities were quite unconvincing and callous. Yes. We should not radicalise school children. But a scrutiny of the play shows the contrary. This argument is thus hogwash. Let’s allow children to bring out our ills as a society and as we watch them play, remember that we are laughing at ourselves.

Playwriting is a talent. Though taught in aspects of teacher education in our curriculum, my experience is that it is never a walk-in the park. It is a calling of many but only few are chosen. It is therefore not easy to find playwrights in a school environment. They have to be outsourced.

Our problem, as a society, is that we always view issues from a messenger’s angle. Otherwise, if we would be more critical and accommodative, we would see no wrong in the message. Politicians are narrow and egoistic. Theirs is a game of self-protection. Greed, avarice and selfishness underlie their trade. Why bring this to school children? Can’t political fights remain in their arena? Schools should be sheltered from political pugilism. We should allow our children to develop their potential and talents unfettered.

I am cognisant of the role of politics in curriculum development and implementation but this should not trample on the generally accepted parameters.

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Harassing students for acting a play which bears all the hallmarks of a well- crafted school drama is to say the least, inhuman, reckless and inconsiderate. We should let learners grow and develop.

The world of work in the 21st century requires communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving, digital literacy, creativity and innovation and citizenship skills. All these are embedded in ‘Echoes of war’. The play enjoys all the ingredients of a good drama for learners. It has moral lessons and is entertaining. It should be played to us time and time again. Never should we blame the mirror for our lopsided face.

However, we need to bring changes to how children engage in the Creative Arts component of the co-curriculum. We should ask ourselves the following pertinent questions; What should be the role of the playwrights in the preparation of the learners for the competitions? Can’t they only give their scripts to the school and let the teachers in charge of Drama to handle the rest? What should be the role of the Ministry of Education and by extension the festival organisers? And lastly, isn’t time the children were equally guided by their teachers to develop plays to be acted in the competitions?

Answers to these questions will enable us not to go through what the innocent souls from Butere Girls went through. As adults, we are guilty of the bad show that coursed our terrain. Both the government and all of ‘us’ are culpable.

Dr Ndaloh is a teacher educator