The Impact of Kampala Archdiocesan Music, Dance and Drama Festivals for Primary Schools on Pupils and Schools

Abstract

This study addresses the impact of Kampala Archdiocesan Music, Dance and Drama Festivals for primary schools, on the pupils who participate in these festivals on the one hand, on the participating Catholic Church founded schools on the other hand. The festival is designed for those Church founded primary schools within and around Kampala, found in central part of Uganda. The background of the festival, plus the people who pioneered its establishment, are also inclusive in this research. Data was obtained by carrying out a qualitative study from different deaneries which make up Kampala Archdiocese. The research tools applied in data collection include interviews, observation, photography, audio and visual recording; documentary review, workshops, and auto-ethnography were also used in attaining data. These tools were very useful in attaining the data because they were the most appropriate since they allowed the researcher to reach out to the informants to find out their different experiences. A number of stake holders were interviewed and they include the organizers, head teachers, pupils and others. The study established that, the Kampala Archdiocesan music festivals have a great impact on both the pupils and their schools which participate in the festivals. Evangelization of the Catholic catechism from the grass root, inculcation of the Catholic values in schools and nurturing of pupils’ talents and skills were among the major issues discovered by this research. It was also noted that, through these festivals the participating schools identify themselves as Catholic founded schools, which also helps them to advertise themselves, which attracts more pupils to join these schools. This study therefore concludes that, the Kampala Archdiocese established music, dance and drama festivals in schools as one of the avenues to strengthen Catholic values and culture in its founded schools.