Learners use drama festivals to pass message on career choices

Buru Buru Girls Secondary students during drama festivals at Dagoretti High School.

Learners have passed a message for parents and school heads to allow them pursue careers of their choice in the ongoing drama festivals.

The colorful event being held in Embu University started on April, 8 to 15, 2024 and brings together 15,000 learners from different schools in the country.

Riara Springs Nairobi, for instance, showcased a play portraying societal pressures and personal discovery within the framework of the CBC curriculum. Directed by Justin Ongwen, the production skillfully depicted the struggles of a young girl whose mother's socialite lifestyle conflicts with traditional educational values.

Kisumu Girls National School presented the much-anticipated "Adita," a cultural creative dance choreographed by Madam Florence Owino and produced by Eva Akeyo.

This dance portrayed the journey of a young woman named Atieno, whose passion for weaving is stifled by her father.

However, the daughter opts to pursue her passion in weaving, an art that she picks from her mother and pursues in school.

The play ends with a clear message of keeping steadfast in life choices instead of getting swayed on the way.

St. Georges Girls, Nairobi, showcased "The Lesser Evil," delving into the challenges faced by girls from nomadic families in accessing education.

One character in the play, Napeyok, is engaged to a wealthy man offering a supposed ticket to a better future but she courageously rejects societal norms and embraces education to secure her future.

Napeyok prefers to face the challenges head on including pursuing her studies instead of a soft life.

Despite facing judgment and adversity, she ultimately finds empowerment in pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

Moi Girls Eldoret presented "Battered Butterflies," shedding light on the lasting effects of trauma and societal attitudes towards victims of defilement.

The play highlighted the importance of support and understanding in overcoming adversity.

Through these diverse narratives, the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival underscored the importance of creative arts in the CBC curriculum.

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Professor Charles Ongóndo emphasized, the festival serves as a platform for learners to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and values.

“Creative arts is now perfectly engraved in the CBC from Pre-school to senior secondary. We are now beginning to see learners exhibiting what they learn in class as enshrined in curriculum design,” Ong’ondo noted.

Adding that, “We consider the festival as a laboratory where learners can demonstrate the knowledge, the skills and the values they learn in class,”.

He said this reflects the country's commitment to nurturing talent and allowing learners to pursue their potential.

 “The country has embraced the CBC and particularly the need to allow learners pursue areas of their potential, areas of their interest featuring significantly in this festival,” he added.