Busia: The Government is seeking to turn talent nurtured in schools into viable economic opportunities by strengthening the identification, development, and monetization of creative abilities among learners. Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS), John Ololtuaa, said the Ministry of Education would continue strengthening co-curricular programmes to ensure learners gifted in music, dance, sports, and other creative fields can develop their abilities into sustainable careers.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ololtuaa spoke at Kibabii University in Bungoma County during the official opening of the 98th Kenya Music Festival. He stated that the initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which recognizes the creative economy as a significant driver of employment and wealth creation. He emphasized that the Ministry will continue to bolster co-curricular programmes to promote talent identification, development, and commercialization.
He highlighted the Kenya Music Festival as one of the country’s most successful educational programmes in nurturing talent, preserving culture, and promoting national cohesion. The festival has evolved beyond a competition into a platform for promoting cultural identity, patriotism, and unity while providing young people with opportunities to discover their talents, build confidence, and appreciate Kenya’s cultural diversity.
Ololtuaa described the festival as the largest music, dance, and spoken-word festival in Africa, demonstrating the potential of co-curricular activities to complement classroom learning. The festivals enable learners to develop creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, citizenship, and self-efficacy, which are key competencies under Competency-Based Education.
The Government is keen to ensure exceptional performances do not end when the festival closes but translate into opportunities in the creative economy. The Ministry plans to collaborate with relevant Government agencies and other stakeholders to advance digital transformation, talent development, and commercialization of creative works produced by learners.
The 98th edition of the festival is held under the theme ‘Enhancing the Creative Economy through Skills, Knowledge, and Artistic Production for Sustainable Development.’ Ololtuaa noted the theme’s timeliness, given the growing contribution of the creative economy to employment and wealth creation globally, aligning with the country’s economic priorities.
He called for greater involvement of the private sector, county governments, and State agencies in supporting the festivals to develop talents among young Kenyans. Ololtuaa announced plans to include more Principal Secretaries, chief executive officers, county governments, and corporate organizations from outside the education sector in next year’s festival. Broader partnerships would strengthen the festival and alleviate the financial burden of organizing the national event.
Ololtuaa stressed the importance of integrity, accountability, and professionalism in the education sector. He urged learners to remain disciplined and organized, follow established festival rules and schedules, and challenged education officials to maintain fairness, integrity, and professionalism in their work.
The PS commended teachers, trainers, choreographers, conductors, adjudicators, curriculum support officers, principals, Ministry and Teachers Service Commission officials, parents, guardians, county governments, security agencies, and the media for contributing to the festival’s success. He encouraged learners to use the event not only for competition but also to build confidence, discipline, friendships, and an appreciation of Kenya’s cultural diversity.
The Government remains committed to holistic education that recognizes every learner’s abilities and prepares them for opportunities in the evolving world of work. Speaking on behalf of Equity Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. James Mwangi, the bank’s Regional General Manager for Nyanza and Western regions, Peter Akuoyo, said the bank, the main sponsor of the festival, considers the creative industry an essential part of Kenya’s economic future. The bank has extended support worth Sh150 million over the last three years, with this year’s festival receiving Sh25 million.
Akuoyo emphasized the importance of identifying and supporting talent in the creative industry, as it represents the future. Sustained investment in young talent would help create a generation capable of using creativity and innovation to address social and economic challenges.
Bungoma Deputy Governor, Janepher Mbatiany, assured the over 140,000 learners and teachers of their safety during the two-week festival, as the county worked with multi-agency teams, including the National Police Service and healthcare providers, to ensure smooth operations.
