Approaches and training in the education of the performing arts for pre-tertiary schools in Malaysia

• Main Author: Johari Md Khir, R.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: LB Theory and practice of education
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/13572/1/0001.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/13572/

My paper will look at Malaysia's recent effort grooming future generations of artist to be leaders of the arts. Two Arts Schools are set up in the last five year in the country by the Ministry of education for school children, 13 to 18years of age, who have an interest and talent in the visual and performing arts. The curriculum offers a dedicated development path, providing students with a new teaching and learning environment where both their artistic and academic potential are to be realized. The Arts Schools aim to provide quality education for preparing education leaders of the future who will have an impact to society, enriched by an education of the arts. The Schools will particularly build on Malaysia's unique strengths in the Malay traditional arts of Wayang Kulit and Bangsawan, the arts which involve the visual, dance, theatre and music. The approach to teaching however is still very contemporary actor training methods. The emphasis is on teamwork and communications, two skills that the Ministry deem important in nation building. My paper will look at the effectiveness of the teaching strategies used and whether there will be genuine empowerment of our youths at the end of their education.