Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 12:39 PM
Interview by: Abdellatif Abilkassim.
Rabat – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commemorates May 25 to 31 during International Arts Education Week.
On this occasion, the MAP contacted Abdelkrim Chebaki, coordinator of the Master in Aesthetic Education and Management of Arts and Crafts and Culture at the Faculty of Educational Sciences under the Mohammed V University of Rabat for more details. The expert returns in five questions on the role of the arts in the formation of the personality, the means of advancing the teaching of this discipline in Morocco and the contribution of the university to research in the field of artistic education. .
1.The World is celebrating International Arts Education Week this month. To what extent does arts education contribute to the shaping of personality and the promotion of the values of respect for others and cultural diversity?
The celebration of International Arts Education Week emanates from the belief in the contribution of arts education to shaping a balanced personality imbued with the values of kindness, peace and coexistence. Arts education stems mainly from the philosophy of shaping a creative and thinking person through art, in order to consolidate its cultural components and enrich it with aesthetic relationships. Art provides a better understanding of civilizations and the diversity of other peoples and nations.
2. How do you assess the teaching of the arts at educational institution level and their programming in parallel activities (theater, cinema clubs, literature, etc.)?
We can say that with the exception of a few establishments counted on the fingertips such as the National Institute of Fine Arts of Tetouan, the Higher Institute of Theatrical Art and Cultural Activation of Rabat, the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions in Rabat and the National Institute of Music in Rabat, the presence of institutions specializing in art education is still timid.
Arts education in educational institutions urgently needs to adopt a strategy of action and activate laws and decrees to be at the desired level. At present, the teaching of art in educational establishments remains limited to secondary courses and occasional activities.
The line ministry is aware of the importance of arts education. In this context, we look forward to seeing the Faculty of Arts and Sports see the light of day in the coming years. We believe that it will be a unique establishment under the Mohammed V University of Rabat and that it will also be the real beginning of the consecration of the culture of art in the field of education and its institutionalization.
3. What are your proposals to promote the teaching and integration of the arts and aesthetic education within educational establishments?
It should be emphasized that more technical institutes and colleges are needed in the different regions of the Kingdom. Also, it is necessary to make available a greater number of institutions specializing in the training and qualification of teachers in the field of arts education. We also urgently need academic courses and programs that capitalize on new developments in the field of education through openness to pioneering international experiences. We must not neglect either the need to sign agreements and partnerships allowing artists to open up to schools and universities.
4. You are currently supervising the Master in Aesthetic Education and Management of Arts and Culture Trades at the College of Educational Sciences. What are the main objectives of this sector?
The Master in Aesthetic Education and Management of Art and Cultural Trades aims to promote the culture of art education and creativity in terms of production, management and supervision in the service of the construction of ‘a distinct and creative personality and productive thinking and behavior.
On the scientific level, this branch aims to train students specializing in the educational, artistic and cultural system able to carry out doctoral scientific research. Regarding the professional component, the aim is to prepare qualified executives in classroom management, program preparation and management of cultural and artistic activities, teaching and scientific research in universities, specialized institutes and related institutions, in addition to art education in public and private sector educational institutions.
5. To what extent can the Moroccan University contribute to the promotion of research in the field of arts education?
In all fairness, the institutes specializing in training in the field of the arts in Morocco play a pioneering role in this area through the training of professionals and specialized experts and by carrying out precise scientific research. In addition, the theses of certain professors and students of the Faculties of Letters and Human Sciences of the different regions of the Kingdom touch on pressing artistic subjects and questions.
Thanks to the efforts of the accredited research team in education, art and culture and the Master of Aesthetic Education and Management of Crafts of Art and Culture, the Faculty of Educational Sciences has accumulated a number of scientific researches and balanced theses, which must see the light of day and have an influence rather than remaining confined to libraries and drawers. The media also have some responsibility and must do what is necessary to enlighten public opinion.
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