Teachers have blamed parents for their negative attitudes towards music, dance and drama competition in Gulu city

In the recent concluded 2023 Zone A music, dance and drama competition of primary schools in Bardege-Layibi division, only 7 out of the 14 schools participated and in the dance sports competition for secondary schools which happened in June, only three schools competed whereby, Sacred Heart Secondary School won the girls category while St. Theresa of Calcutta Secondary School in Omoro district won the boys’ category.

The competition allows learners to utilize the stage as a forum for experimenting with their social realities       

Brain Opiyo Kinyera, a student of St. Theresa of Calcutta in Omoro district said that the community perceive dancers and music lovers to be people who abuse drug and are thieves in the society.

According to Charles Opiyo, a teacher at St. Joseph’s Primary School in Gulu city, participation in music, dance and drama is in fulfillment of the Ministry of Education and sports about co-curricular activities and it helps to promote talent development in schools although some parents are against it

David Komakech, a teacher at Mary Immaculate Primary School in Gulu city said some parents of children of day scholars refused to send them to boarding section which hindered their training

A low opinion about an entertainment career by children and parents and music, dance and drama not being an examinable subject are some of the factors for low participation of schools in both primary and secondary level in the 2023 music, dance and drama competition in Gulu city.