CHALLENGES IN TEACHING THE MUSIC COMPONENT OF CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN KWABRE SOUTH DISTRICT OF ASHANTI REGION, GHANA

Authors: Felix Danso Kwofie & Bright Essel

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to evaluate the instruction of Music as a component of Creative Art and Design in Junior High Schools within the Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, the study focused on a target population of 16 teachers from Junior High Schools in the district. Data were collected primarily through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that most teachers responsible for Creative Arts instruction at this level possess degrees in fields other than Music, which has impacted their effectiveness in teaching the subject. The main challenges identified in teaching Music and Dance include a lack of teaching instruments, teachers’ negative attitudes towards the subject, and the absence of textbooks. The study recommended conducting workshops for Creative Art and Design teachers, with a particular emphasis on Music and Dance, to better equip them to teach and prepare students for the Creative and Design curriculum, now an examinable subject in basic schools.

Keywords: Music and dance, Creative art and Design, generalist programme, specialist programme (GES), Ministry of Education (MoE), and National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NaCCA).

REFERENCES

  • Acquah, E. O., & Danso Kwofie, F. (2021). The challenges of preparing students for music practical performance tests at the senior high schools in the central region of Ghana. International Journal of Education Humanities and Social Science, 4(2), 133-146.
  • Anderljung, M., Barnhart, J., Leung, J., Korinek, A., O’Keefe, C., Whittlestone, J. & Wolf, K. (2023). Frontier AI regulation: Managing emerging risks to public safety. arXiv preprint arXiv:2307.03718.
  • Batyra, E., Pesando, L. M., Castro Torres, A. F., Furstenberg, F. F., & Kohler, H. P. (2023). Union formation, within‐couple dynamics, and child well‐being: A global macrolevel perspective. Population, Space and Place, e61.
  • Castellan, C. M. (2010). Quantitative and qualitative research: A view for clarity. International Journal of Education, 2(2),
  • Chen, A. (2024). Harmony Teaching Research—Implication for Music Education. Art and Society, 3(1), 13-44.
  • Choi, S. (2023). Broadening Music Performer Identity through Free Accompaniment Practices at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland (Doctoral dissertation, New York University).
  • Creswell, J. W., Shope, R., Plano Clark, V. L., & Green, D. O. (2006). How interpretive qualitative research extends mixed methods research. Research in the Schools, 13(1), 1-11
  • Davis, K., Christodoulou, J., Seider, S., & Gardner, H. E. (2011). The theory of multiple intelligences. Davis, K., Christodoulou, J., Seider, S., & Gardner, H.(2011). The theory of multiple intelligences. In RJ Sternberg & SB Kaufman (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence, 485-503.
  • Graham, C. A. (2023). Faith, Race, and the Lost Cause: Confessions of a Southern Church. University of Virginia Press.
  • Hatcher, J. A., & Bringle, R. G. (1997). Reflection: Bridging the gap between service and learning. College teaching, 45(4), 153-158.
  • Johnston, A. (2023). Evaluating the impact of a skills-based intervention on the readiness of generalist teachers in a special school to teach music (Doctoral dissertation, University of Reading).
  • Jørgensen, H. (2008). Instrumental practice: quality and quantity. Finnish Journal of Music Education, 11(1-2), 8- 18.
  • Lehmann, A. C., & Ericsson, K. A. (1997). Research on expert performance and deliberate practice: Implications for the education of amateur musicians and music students. Psychomusicology: A Journal of Research in Music Cognition, 16(1-2),
  • Panasenko, N., Stashko, H., & Zabuzhanska, I. (2023). 73 Love and rhythm in poetry and music. Language and Emotion. Volume 3, 3, 1529.
  • Spelke, E.S. (2008). Effects of music instruction on developing cognitive systems at the foundations of mathematics and science. Learning Arts and the Brain: The Dana Consortium Reports on Arts and Cognition. NY/Washington D.C.: Dana Press.
  • Spielmann, N., Williams, C., & Kohli, A. K. (2023). Local roots and global responsibility: terroir brands and their responsible engagement. Journal of International Marketing, 1069031X231205255.
  •  Welch, A. (1995). The self-efficacy of primary teachers in art education. Issues in Educational Research, 5(1995), 71-84.
  • Yeboah, F., Dangah, M. M., & Adjei, E. K. (2023). Assessing the Effects of In-service Training on the Performance of Ghanaian Basic School Social Studies Teachers
  • Zipman, E. (2023). Music Education in Aged Care: Positive Ageing through Instrumental Music Learning (Doctoral dissertation, Monash University)