The purpose of the appraisal is to provide useful information for all policy makers, especially those in DAC and DBE to decide on the future course of the AiS Programme.
The AiS has its genesis in the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (1996) that states that “the Ministry will actively promote the Constitutional right of every learner in the General Education and Training phase to access equitable, appropriate life-long education and training in the ACH to develop individual talents and skills through the transformation of arts education within the formal school system and the development and extension of community based arts education structures. The rich and diverse expression of South African ACH shall thereby be promoted and developed.”
This initiative is a direct response to the lack (or perceived lack) of quality arts
and culture educators (in all the disciplines including dance, visual arts, music and drama) in the majority of the public schools in the country. While many self-employed arts practitioners have committed themselves to sharing their skills and knowledge in their communities, the potential role of AiS is often not effectively realised due to skills gaps on the part of both the artists and the educators.
There is also a lack of awareness of the potential role the arts can have on education and its role in society. The AiS therefore aims to supplement, rather than replace, the school’s art educator.
