Enhancing the Nigerian Educational System through Creative Dramatics

Abstract

In every organized society, there exists certain belief as to what its educational philosophy should satisfy. These beliefs are hinged on the objectives which the society intends to achieve through its process of education and training. The main focus of this paper is to make a strong case for the need for the educational authorities in Nigeria to recognize the fact that the country’s professional theatre requires to be nurtured and sustained through a vibrant pedagogical drama. This is because, as with all human preoccupations, the love and appreciation of drama is a habit that requires to be cultivated, nurtured and sustained right from adolescence. The paper discusses creative dramatics as a symbolic tool for educational development. It also clarifies the meaning and objectives of creative dramatics as well as the functions of drama. It reviews the current deplorable educational system in Nigeria and concludes that if our educational policy-makers are able to muster political will, a feasible blue-print for the ultimate realization of the long-awaited dream of educational drama in Nigerian school and colleges would soon emerge. The paper therefore recommends that drama education should be considered part of the total education of the average Nigerian since it stresses the cultural enrichment of the nation. Consequently, Nigeria’s educational institutions should place greater emphasis on the creation of institutional strategies that will enhance life-long national development through educational drama or creative dramatics.

Key words: Adolescent, Creative Dramatics, Development, Education, Enhancement.