International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

An Evaluation of Art and Design in Primary Education in Zambia

Lewis B. Chilufya, Isaac S. Chilinda
Kwame Nkrumah University, Zambia / Chreso University

ABSTRACT
This article is anchored on a study that evaluated the management of Art and Design in selected schools in Chongwe and Rufunsa districts of Zambia. The overarching goal of the study was to establish what else could be done for children to benefit fully from the subject as they play and make art. The theoretical framework was on the Social Development Theory of Learning, which was developed by Lev Vygotsky. The latter fundamentally proposed that social interaction profoundly influenced cognitive development of children. Based on this understanding, this study demonstrated that through play with art and design, children are likely to develop traits such as creativity, inventiveness, critical and analytical thinking. These traits could equip them for survival in their natural environments as well as instill values in them that would make them good members of their communities. To arrive at this conclusion, questionnaires were used to collect data, which was mainly qualitative. Consequently, thematic analysis was employed to interpret the findings.

Keywords: Art, Design, Creativity, Inventiveness, Critical and Analytical Thinking

1.0Introduction
A child requires to be developed academically, mentally, morally, physically, psychologically, socially and even spiritually. When a child is born, the expectation by the parents and society is that the child will grow up and become a productive citizen or member of the community. A child is expected to grow up and fit into the community well. That is only possible, however, when a child is fully developed, academically, mentally, morally, physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually.
On these fronts, art enhances growth in all these facets of a child’s life. As such, children need that chance to make art because when a child is left free,