THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ARTS IN BASIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The influence of Cultural and Creative Arts on basic education in Nigeria is examined in thispaper. It features in different aspects of Nigerian education, especially at primary and juniorsecondary levels, in form of teaching methods, co-curricular activity and entertainment. It isrelevant as an instrument for achieving high-level attendance, retention and academicperformance in basic education. However, Cultural and Creative Arts could bring about anindiscriminate intermingling of males and females. Teachers’ role towards ensuring positiveinfluence and guiding against negative ones include counselling of parents and otherstakeholders, monitoring pupils at work and at play and co-operating with all stakeholdersin ensuring achievement of educational objectives. It is recommended that Cultural andCreative Arts should be included in all programmes of teacher education.