The three-day Teso North Subcounty Music Festival for Primary and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) wrapped up on Thursday with scintillating performances by learners from the various institutions to the delight of music enthusiasts drawn from across the county. Held at Amagoro Primary School, this year’s festival was sponsored by Kenya Music Festivals in partnership with Equity Bank. The event aimed to nurture and appreciate diverse talents among learners, in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Signature of Talent and Creativity
The Sub County Schools Music Chairperson, Sospeter Etyang, lauded the high level of competition, stating more schools had registered items for the presentation compared to past years. Etyang is hopeful that the presentations will progress to the national and international levels, saying among the improvements is quality?
“We have so many schools and academies around with various numerous presentations, but we hope to end early and produce the best,” said Etyang.
Equity Bank’s Dedication in Talent Nurturing
Equity Bank, sponsors of the tournament, in their message to the press, promised to always promote such educational competitions, saying it is their main Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Equity Bank, Malaba Branch Manager, said that their purpose was to tap talents from the grassroots, and that education was what will shape the future.
“Our main purpose here is ploughing back to society, and so far, ploughing back to society has been through talent nurturing and education. So, as a financial institution, we remain committed to supporting the education sector because it holds hope for the future, ” said the Bank manager.
School heads, for their part, urged the Ministry of Education to be prompt in issuing school capitation funds to ensure that running of schools is not paralyzed. The thaw in funds at the right time is what sustains the momentum and successful hosting of events like these that are critical to shaping up the holistic development of students.
Zenith Academy Takes the Cake
In the Schools’ Festival, Zenith Academy reigned with many accolades, ruling almost all the spoken and poetry performances. Anita Akinyi, a Music teacher at Zenith Academy, said success had come through regular practice and a good footing in languages.
“Less schools perform Indian dances so I saw this as a breakthrough and gave all my best to the kids. As an institution, we are trying to mold allround learners,” Akinyi said.
Public primary schools in the region shone in folk songs that was a showcase of the region’s rich culture.
“We continue to insist that you strictly abide by the age limits for these children to ensure our festival remains fair and accessible to all. Among the list of items that should have strict age limits are instrumental pieces, solos, sing games, and Indian dances,'” the adjudication table stressed.
Looking Forward to the Subcounty Festival
The event ended with an award ceremony officiated by the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) chair for Teso North and Equity Bank. Best performers and top teams that would move ahead to the Subcounty level were recognized and celebrated. The next sub county festival will take place at Kolanya on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.