Elaine Browne.pdf - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

away from the normal class setup. They love it”. One respondent felt that arts activities provide
learners with the opportunity to escape from daily academic burdens: “Our children don’t have
enough outlets, that is why they go on like they go on. Maar ‘n mens sit en train en leer en leer
too much 32 ”.
Sub‐theme 4.3: Enjoyment
Despite the unsatisfactory conditions, it appeared that the learners enjoyed arts activities, as it
provides them with an opportunity to relax. This provided the respondents with a sense of
fulfilment and achievement: “They do like it very much. They like to draw. They enjoy because it
is now relaxing time. They enjoy it a lot”. The learners were also given the opportunity to
experience a sense of achievement: “Hulle geniet dit baie om met hulle hande te werk en hulle
is trots op hulle handewerk 33 ”.
Sub‐theme 4.4: Extra effort
From the interviews it appeared that many respondents were investing extra effort in an
attempt to provide learners with meaningful arts experiences. One teacher managed to arrange
that her learners attended an arts workshop hosted by the local library. She intends pursuing
this opportunity in future. Another teacher entered his learners’ work for a poster competition,
because of the learners’ enjoyment: “Learners like Arts and Culture. There was some poster
competition, my school come up tops”. Another teacher was inspired to purchase materials: “I
32 We train too much.
33 They enjoy working with their hands and they are proud of these products.
71