KITWE District Commissioner Oncemore Ngonomo’s call for schools to nurture learners’ talents beyond academic performance and promote cultural identity is timely and consistent with the spirit of the Grow Zambia Agenda.
His remarks recognise an important reality: education should not only prepare learners to pass examinations but also equip them with the skills, creativity and confidence to pursue diverse career paths.
Not every learner will become a doctor, teacher, engineer or pilot. Some will excel in music, film, fashion, dance, sport and other creative disciplines.
Schools must therefore create an environment in which these talents are identified, nurtured and developed into viable careers.
Indeed, Mr Ngonomo’s position echoes President Hakainde Hichilema’s address to Parliament on Friday, in which he highlighted the potential for citizens to build fulfilling careers in music, film, content creation, fashion and the creative economy as a whole.
This is an important message as Zambia seeks to expand its economic base beyond traditional sectors such as mining and agriculture.
The Grow Zambia Agenda calls for a broader approach to wealth creation, one that recognises the contribution of every productive sector to employment, investment and improved livelihoods.
The creative industry offers considerable opportunities in this regard. Art is no longer simply a form of entertainment or cultural expression.
It is an economic asset capable of generating income, creating jobs and promoting national identity beyond our borders.
Zambia has already demonstrated what can be achieved when talent is identified and supported.
In sport, particularly football, the emergence of academies has provided young people with opportunities to develop their abilities, secure professional contracts and compete internationally.
Several Zambian sportsmen and women have turned their talents into careers, demonstrating that success does not follow a single path through the classroom.
The same approach can be extended to the arts. Schools can provide platforms for music, drama, dance, visual arts, creative writing and other disciplines, allowing learners to discover their strengths early.
Partnerships with artists, cultural institutions, sports academies and businesses can help bridge the gap between talent development and professional opportunities.
There are valuable lessons to draw from countries in our region and beyond. The Democratic Republic of Congo, for instance, has built an international reputation through its music industry.
Congolese musicians have taken their sound to audiences across the world, earning income through performances, recordings and other commercial ventures while promoting their country’s cultural identity.
The economic benefits extend beyond the musicians themselves. International tours and performances create opportunities for dancers, instrumentalists, sound engineers, producers, managers, costume designers and other supporting professionals.
A successful artistic production can therefore sustain an entire network of livelihoods. Nigeria provides another compelling example.
Its film and music industries have developed into internationally recognised creative sectors, creating employment and commercial opportunities while exporting Nigerian culture to global audiences.
These examples demonstrate that creative talent, when supported by the right infrastructure, skills and business models, can become a significant contributor to national development. Zambia should not be left behind.
As President Hichilema observed, the country has abundant talent, much of which remains raw or untapped. The challenge is to provide the support needed to transform that potential into commercially viable products and services.
This requires more than encouraging learners to participate in cultural activities.
Government, schools and the private sector must work together to strengthen arts education, provide appropriate facilities, improve access to training and technology and develop pathways through which young people can earn from their work.
Equally important is the need to teach the business side of creativity. Copyright protection, intellectual property rights, marketing, financial management and digital distribution are essential if artists are to benefit fully from their talents. Without these safeguards and commercial skills, creators risk losing the value of their work to others.
Schools have a responsibility to challenge the notion that academic performance is the only measure of ability or future success.
Academic excellence remains important, but it should not come at the expense of other talents that can contribute to personal fulfilment and national prosperity. The objective is not to lower academic standards but to broaden the opportunities available to learners.
A well-rounded education should recognise different abilities and help each learner discover a path through which they can contribute meaningfully to society. The Grow Zambia Agenda provides an opportunity to place the creative economy firmly within the country’s development priorities.
By investing in talent from an early age, Zambia can create jobs, support entrepreneurship, preserve cultural heritage and strengthen its international standing. The lesson is clear: classrooms must do more than prepare learners for examinations.
They must also help discover the musicians, film-makers, designers, athletes and other creative professionals who could become tomorrow’s employers, exporters and ambassadors for Zambia. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home