Pupils urged to tap into parents’ traditional art and craft skills

Blessing Karubwa, Chronicle Reporter
VILLAGERS have been urged to ensure that school pupils tap into their traditional art and craft skills so that they meet Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) requirements under the updated new curriculum.
All exam classes will for the first time this year be examined under CALA.

During an inaugural Art and Craft exhibition day at Dakamela Hall in Nkayi District on Monday, Nkayi South legislator, Cde Stars Mathe said continuous assessment will go a long way in teaching learners to use their skills and encouraged villagers to share knowledge with children.

The day saw villagers who specialise in various art works exhibiting their products for school pupils from Dakamela Primary and Secondary schools.

Products on exhibition included baskets, beads and yokes which Cde Mathe said could assist pupils in their CALA work.

“His Excellency President Emerson Mnangagwa encourages that people should make use of the available resources and use their skills to improve their livelihoods. People should not rely on going to the diaspora to buy some of the products which can be produced locally using our local available resources,” she said.

“Our children must not fail CALA because we have so much skills available in our society. Pupils must practice at home under the supervision of parents. Teachers should also be free to invite parents with skills to come and assist at schools.”

Cde Mathe said it was important for communities to use locally available resources to make products which they can sell to earn a living.

The MP said if well taught, some pupils will later use the skills in life and even create employment.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Dakamela hailed CALA as it also caters for those who cannot excel academically.

“CALA is good in that it makes life easier for all learners and those who usually find it hard to excel academically will find solace in the Arts and Craft fields. People have different skills and talents and that has been considered by the CALA which has promoted use of skills and natural resources, “he said.

A craftsman from the area, Mr Collect Ngwenya, said crafting has been his trade and he managed to fund the education of his children.

“I have been crafting since long back, ngibaza izitulo, amaphini, kunye lokubumba imifanekiso ngisebenzisa izigodo. I have been selling to people in town and all my children have completed school now,” said Mr Ngwenya. — @ TichaKarubwa