AE-FUNAI STAFF SCHOOL COLLABORATES WITH FINE & APPLIED ARTS DEPARTMENT TO BUILD IMAGINATIVE CAPACITIES OF PUPILS
In a determined bid to build the imaginative and creative imaginations of pupils, the AE-FUNAI Staff Nursery and Primary School has collaborated with the Arts’ Club of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts of the university.

The Arts Club, which comprises both staff and students of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, is led by Ms Chiaka Adaure Nnodi, the Deputy Dean, Students’ Affairs.


Ms. Chiaka Nnodi and her team in a group picture with some teachers and pupils during the event
Speaking at the event organized by the Club to build the creative imaginations of pupils of the staff school, Ms Nnodi said that the art activity creates beautiful experiences for children and at the same time enriches their learning through creativity.

She stated that the vision statement of the club is “Art is Life, Art Stimulates Higher Order Thinking Skills and Improves the Quality of our Lives”, adding that all the Club’s activities are geared towards creating those activities that actualizes these values.

Continuing, Ms Nnodi noted the art activity which has the theme, “Garden of Good Manners”, has several positive impacts, as it helps in promoting and reinforcing good manners and etiquette among the children, stressing that by focusing on manners within a garden setting, children can learn important concepts like respect, kindness, empathy, and gratitude in a fun and engaging way.


Ms. Chiaka Nnodi taking a pupil through some exercises during the event
She further stated that the art activity encourages creativity and self-expression, thereby boosting the pupils’ self-confidence, as working together on the art project promotes collaboration and teamwork, even as she maintained that the collaborative process teaches them valuable interpersonal skills and promotes a sense of community within the classroom.

She also explained that an art activity centered around good manners helps in integrating art into other areas of the curriculum, as art works are mounted at strategic points within the school and gives teachers opportunities from time to time to incorporate discussions on good manners in different contexts like in school, at home and in the community using the art works as visual aids as interdisciplinary approach enhances the overall learning experience of pupils.


Another group of pupils going through some hands-on experience during the event
Ms Nnodi, in concluding her speech, thanked the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sunday Oge Elom, for providing an enabling environment for the institution to run well in spite of the challenges of the time.

Similarly, she acknowledged the President, AE-FUNAI Women Association (WA), Dr. Chinyere Elom, who is the proprietor of the s school, for her support and encouragement that made them embark on the project in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the school..

She also appreciated the head teacher of the school , Mrs Afoma Ifemene, for the great work she and her team of teachers are doing in moulding the destinies of the children.


Head teacher of the school, Mrs. Afoma Ifemene and se teachers in.a group photograph with some pupils during the art project