'Art' we just another brick in the wall?

Abstract

Art teachers and art students find it shocking every time they are informed that the art room is needed to host another subject. There were a few instances where art room furniture, student portfolios and art materials were moved to the school corridor and the art teachers were told to use their creativity and refurbish a smaller empty classroom without basins. Little did the school administration know that an art room is not a regular classroom. An art room requires basins, ample light, adequate space both for student safety and for storage of students' portfolios and materials. Yet, art teachers are the first to call to decorate the school entrance and corridors with students' artworks, especially when a VIP, like a president or a minister, visits the school. No wonder these visitors think all is plain sailing at schools and are often quick to label the critics calling out for improvement as 'negative', 'exaggerating' or even having a 'hidden political agenda'.