Creative Art and Entrepreneurial Initiative Activities in Ekiti State Secondary Schools: Pathway for National Development
Omodara, Oladele DennisThe study examines the current state of creative art education and entrepreneurial initiatives in the Ekiti state secondary schools and the challenges and opportunities associated with these activities. The study adopted a descriptive research design for the survey type. Three research questions were raised, and two research hypotheses were generated for the study. The study population consisted of all senior secondary school visual art students in Ekiti State. At the same time, the sample was made up of 156 respondents randomly selected from nine (9) senior secondary schools out of 219 schools across the three (3) Senatorial Districts in Ekiti State using a purposive random sampling technique to select three (3) schools that offered visual Art from each of the senatorial districts. The researchers-structured research instrument was used for the data collection. The reliability index of the questionnaire was 0.79, indicating high reliability, hence making it suitable for the study. Data collected and collated for the study were analyzed using both descriptive statistics of simple frequency count, percentage, and weighted mean to answer the three (3) research questions raised to guide the study. It was found that participation in creative Art program in their school influences the interest of the sample in pursuing entrepreneurial activities. Additionally, respondents agreed that creative Art and entrepreneurial activities are integrated into their school’s curriculum for the purpose of national development. The study revealed further that students are not likely to take the integration of creative Art and entrepreneurial initiative serious because of lack of adequate sensitization and enlightenment. Recommendations were made on how to improve on the teaching of creative Art together with entrepreneurial initiatives in secondary schools to promote national development. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education should not view entrepreneurship education as courses that require tests, presentations, and exams.