TAKE UP ARTS, PUPILS URGED

PUPILS must take keen interest in expressive arts, says Solwezi District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga.

Mrs Kamalonga said if taken seriously and considered a business, expressive arts could improve someone's living standards.

She said many people were making a living through arts

such as acting, drawing and poetry which were taught in schools in the area.

"We have seen a good number of people making a living out of such activities. It is therefore my sincere hope that our school-going children will take keen interest in art," she said.

Ms Kamalonga was speaking when she officially opened the Kansanshi Arts Festival in Solwezi, which was organised by Kansanshi Mine in partnership with the Ministry of General Education.

The event was held under the theme ‘Say No to Early Marriages, Young Artists Against Child Marriages’.

Ms Kamalonga said the festival was an opportunity for pupils to discover and showcase their talents.

She commended Kansanshi Mine for being a consistent partner in supporting education in Solwezi.

"Kansanshi Mine has been a great partner in supporting schools in Solwezi by donating school text books, sponsoring sports activities and running the school supplementary feeding programme.

"The arts festival is another form of support from the mine towards the education sector in Solwezi," Mrs Kamalonga said.

She said Government would continue working with the mine to support the welfare of schools in the area.

Mrs Kamalonga urged the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to work closely with the Ministry of General Education to ensure children with great talent utilised their artistic skills as they completed their education.

She said the district education board secretary’s office should see to it that arts and design subjects were fully established in schools in the district.