IMPACT OF LIMITED CREATIVE ARTS EDUCATION ON STUDENT CONFIDENCE IN UNDER-RESOURCED SCHOOLS

Abstract

One of the most important areas for developing confidence, self-expression, imagination and emotions in the students is the creative arts education. However, in other schools, students often have limited opportunities to participate in arts programs due to lack of funding, qualified arts teachers, materials, and/or institutional interest in non-core subjects. This paper explores the impact of restricted access to creative arts education on under-resourced school settings on student confidence and student expression. The study demonstrates that frequent opportunities to engage in drawing, music, drama, dance and other creative activities are needed to ensure that the pupils' emotions, exploration of identity and self-belief are not undermined. In Creative Arts students have the opportunity to create a space in which they feel safe enough to put their thoughts out there that they know will not be called into question in other subjects. This is particularly in relation to learners who struggle to communicate verbally, socially and/or academically. The paper suggests that creative arts education must be taken as a compulsory subject rather than optional since it relates to the concept of holistic education. In under-resourced schools, having greater access to arts programs can foster greater confidence, creativity, emotional expression, classroom engagement and student development.