Ogamba urges strict adherence to co-curricular activities rules

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned teachers against flouting the rules and regulations that govern co-curricular activities.

Speaking during the National Drama and Film Festivals Gala in Nakuru, on Tuesday, Ogamba said the ministry will adhere to stringent rules that govern the items presented during the festivals.

"I am throwing in some caution that as we train these learners, you must do so under stipulated guidelines, policies, and regulations. All co-curricular activities in our institutions must be conducted under strict adherence to the guidelines and regulations provided by the Ministry of Education and that of the Teachers' Service Commission," he said.

At the same time, he said that no disciplinary action has been taken against teachers who were involved in the preparation of Butere Girls High School play Echoes of War.

"A report will be presented to the ministry, and if anyone is found to have flouted the rules set by the ministry and those of the Teachers Service Commission, they will be held accountable. The allegations that there have been disciplinary measures taken against teachers in Butere are false," the CS said.

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This year's National drama and film festivals attracted more than 27, 000 learners with over 800 presentations.

While giving the future perspective of the festivals, Ogamba announced that Arts and Sports will be mainstreamed as a pathway and will no longer be co-curricular activities.

He said that schools will be required in future to have theatres as part of the infrastructure to effectively mainstream competency-based curriculum in Senior secondary.

Stakeholders in the creative sector also called on counties to refurbish theatres to ease practical lessons for learners under the creative Arts pathway.

National drama and film festival chairman Christopher Odhiambo said that this year's drama and film festivals incorporated masterclasses and conferences that aimed at looking at ways to monetize items presented during the event.

"Arts let us know what is wrong and right in society. It is supposed to give up pressure, not pain. That's what we expect," Prof Odhiambo said.

"This year, we invited experts from creative sectors in South Africa and Nigeria to help us answer the questions we have been grappling with on how we can monetize the good content from these festivals."

He urged teachers to nurture students to be able to write their plays and even direct their performances. 

This year's festivals incorporated a lifestyle and poetry lab, an initiative run by Kenya Cultural Center and Masterclasses by Tunga Africa who taught learners on the art of video making.

Among the presentations that stood out at this year's gala was Moi High School-Mbiruri's hilarious presentation that explores the idea that life can often be unjust or unfair.

In their presentation titled 'Classmate', the play advocates for a balance between studies and co-curricular activities. 

In the narration, the students highlighted how merit does not always determine success and how the world does not always reward individuals based on their true abilities.

Their narration depicted how an average student who balanced between studies and talent ended up in a position of power and hired the A student who was bright in school.

Eldoret National Polytechnic presented their cultural dance titled 'Shitambule, that paid tribute to individuals whose lives have been affected and ultimately claimed by cancer. 

Amidst the solemn acknowledgment of cancer as a deadly disease, the dance also ignited a spark of hope.

Through vibrant steps and evocative gestures by the dancers, "Shitambule" will be part of presentations that will highlight the State concert on Wednesday.

Other performances that stood out during the gala also included 'Hadithi Yangu' a choral verse by Moi Airbase, Olaputopu by Nolando Secondary, Omena by Mbita high, among others.

The gala concluded in an awarding ceremony where the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication was ranked best overall under the Technical Training Institute categories, the Nairobi region topped all regions, the Rift Valley topped winning regions under the Technical and Training Institutes, among others.