Govt to introduce music, dance, drama and fine arts in primary education: State Minister

The government has taken an initiative to introduce music, dance, drama, fine arts and sports education in primary schools in a phased manner, said State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobi Hajjaj on Wednesday (June 10).

He made the remarks at a meeting held at the Secretariat, attended by teachers and department heads from music, dance, drama and fine arts departments of various public universities.

The state minister said the reform aims to move beyond exam-based learning and develop a more holistic education system that nurtures students as global citizens while equipping them with practical and creative skills for future careers.

He said subjects such as music, dance, drama, fine arts and sports play a vital role in enhancing creativity, confidence, leadership qualities and social skills among students.

“We want to establish these not merely as co-curricular activities but as core components of education,” he added.

According to him, the implementation of the initiative will require an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 specialised teachers and trainers over the next five years, creating significant employment opportunities for graduates in these fields.

He further said the government aims to develop a sustainable career pathway for students of arts and culture, enabling them to work as primary school teachers in the future.

Discussions are also underway to integrate teacher training and preparation into university curricula in collaboration with the government, he added.

“We want to work together with universities to produce skilled teachers in a coordinated way,” the state minister said.

Officials said a new textbook titled “Arts and Culture” will be introduced for Grade IV students in 2027, covering four chapters: fine arts, music, dance and drama.

Under the government’s plan, these subjects will be fully integrated into the primary curriculum as core academic disciplines by 2028.

Education experts say the initiative could significantly improve children’s cognitive, emotional and cultural development, fulfilling long-standing demands for creative education in primary schools.

Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, senior ministry officials, and representatives from 24 universities attended the meeting.