Elaine Browne.pdf - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

“Even if you get some shyness from them, but they do their best just to get those marks”.
“Ons probeer ook om goedjies te display in die klas wat hulle gemaak het en om die trots
weer aan te wakker 31 ”.
“There are those that are interested in other things. We do not cater for them. And if we
have a specialist, we will pick them up. And we will develop an art gallery. Just as we
enhance that cricketer and the rugby player. We will do exactly the same” (with arts
education).
Another teacher confirmed that “Some of those children are not academically strong ... that
child can really be boosted, his self esteem. You don’t know where that child can go. It is very
important for the learners, you know”.
Sub‐theme 4.2: Stress release
Due to its expressive nature, the arts provide opportunities for learners to release stress. The
teachers were clearly aware that the majority of learners in their schools come from taxing
home environments. The respondents were aware of the therapeutic value of arts education.
One teacher stated: “I love Arts and Culture, because I think if you’re so stressed especially with
... Our kids haven’t yet discovered that with all the problems that they’ve got, maybe at home
and that, that this brings so much relief and they haven’t discovered it yet. But the moment they
have discovered that ... that’s the moment we’re going to see a big change in our children,
because it is a stress reliever”. Another teacher saw arts activities as an enjoyable opportunity
to release excess energy: “Anything with movement and dance and whether he can be free and
31 We try to display the things in order to boost their self-esteem.
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