Art contest to award ten learners full secondary school scholarship

Ms Roselyn Gombe with learners at Mukuru Kwa Njenga primary School in Nairobi. [Winfrey Owino, Standard]

Primary school learners across the country will get a chance to contest in an art competition seeking to nurture their creativity.

The contest targets primary school pupils between Grades 1 to 4 and is projected to attract 15,000 submissions across the 47 counties.

The competition organised by Jubilee Life Insurance will see the top ten winners receive full high school scholarships worth Sh3 million.

According to the 2023 Economic Survey, the creative sector in Kenya contributes 5 per cent to the national GDP and about 25 per cent of total wage employment.

Speaking during the launch, Jubilee Life Insurance CEO Asman Mugambi noted that there is a growing appreciation and enthusiasm for art in major quarters.

He added that the annual Live Free Art Competition will go a long way in not only enriching personal development but also impacting the nation at large.

"We are now in the fourth year since we launched this competition. It has been a heartening experience discovering the incredible talent and creativity among our children. Jubilee Life Insurance will continue to champion this initiative as we rally pupils, parents, teachers and all other education stakeholders to support and encourage these budding artists," said Asman.

Participating pupils will be required to submit original artworks in various mediums including painting, drawing, collage or mixed media.

The competition allows them to use watercolours, coloured pencils, crayons, charcoal, ink or any other locally available materials.

Ministry of Education Regional Education Director - Nyanza Lawrence Karuntimi highlighted that the ministry places significant emphasis on nurturing creativity among learners. CBC integrates these elements as essential components, recognising that the arts field as pivotal in developing well-rounded individuals.

"We are excited to see corporates such as Jubilee Life allocate their resources to drive awareness on the role of art in promoting self-sufficiency. This initiative not only celebrates artistic prowess but also aligns with the Ministry's vision of fostering an integrated approach to learning that nurtures the diverse talents of our students," said Sifuna.