16 Jun 2013

Art is a field where students derive lifelong skills that can make them self-reliant.

A senior sales consultant with Bank Gaborone, Mr Nathaniel Phofuetsile said this at the Northern Art Teachers Association (NATA) art exhibition in Francistown on Friday.

He said the quality of artworks at the exhibition signified an approach meant to sufficiently prepare the youth for professional challenges in the real world of work. Mr Phofuetsile commended art teachers for effectively facilitating the challenging of students energies into positive attributes, as adolescents tended to sway and distracted easily.

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) north east region assistant director, Ms Rejoice Ramokate applauded art teachers for their resilience even in an era of economic down turn. Ms Ramokate said hosting the exhibition was an indication that art teachers not only had passion for the subject, but perseverance as well.

She however expressed concern that it seemed other subjects in the region were dormant. Through the exhibition, she said the students were learning entrepreneurship skills as their artwork was to be sold to the public.

Ms Ramokate further said art helped students to manage time because once they started their work, they should go all the way in order to have a quality product.

Francistown Senior Secondary School scooped position one with 26 points, earning itself a floating shield and P1 500 from Naledi Motors, while in the junior school category, Mmei got the first position with nine points and received a P1 000 voucher redeemable at Art World. ENDS