Latest news with #EchoesofWar
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial school play sparks chaos at Kenya drama competition
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play. The play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be included. Tensions flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday evening. Malala was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the play. But anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be audience. Education Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate". Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and technology. It reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries Kenyan president's humbling shows power of African youth Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial school play sparks chaos at Kenya drama competition
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play. The play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be included. Tensions flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday evening. Malala was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the play. But anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be audience. Education Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate". Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and technology. It reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries Kenyan president's humbling shows power of African youth Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Echoes of War: Butere Girls School play angers Kenyan government
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate".Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. You may also be interested in: New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionariesKenyan president's humbling shows power of African youthBatons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutalityHow Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
CBC
12-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Required hours for certain courses could soon be cut in some N.L. schools
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is looking at making big changes to the public school curriculum, which could mean students in grades seven to nine have the option of taking fewer hours of instruction in music, social studies and French. The Department of Education is looking to "modernize" the curriculum, which could make some courses fully or partially optional. It's part of a broader curriculum overhaul that is meant to improve outcomes in subjects like math and English and improve student engagement. But Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says students are still required to fulfil a minimum amount of hours in mandatory courses, such as social studies and religious education, to meet graduation requirements, but now they will have "a little bit more wiggle room." "This was one thing that we figure would be a way to bring back some of that engagement and motivate students to continue to be in school," Howell said on Tuesday. She said the new curriculum will still include essential lessons students would usually learn in a full course. Some social studies modules such as the Legacy of Confederation and Navigating Canadian Civics would still be mandatory, but modules like Echoes of War — Canada in WWI and WWII, would be optional. Home economics, music and visual arts are among the courses that would become fully optional under the new curriculum. The education minister also clarified that the possible cuts in instruction hours in certain courses doesn't mean the department needs less teachers. "When we look at what the outcome should be, we want students who are well versed across all areas and have an opportunity to experience all different types of learning and different subject areas," said Howell. "We want them to be able to pick things that are meaningful to them." The province will start rolling out the changes in 14 schools in the 2025-26 school year. Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA) president Trent Langdon said the proposed changes are well meaning, but they won't be a "silver bullet" to fix problems in the school system. "Government's approach is ultimately — from what I've read and I've heard — that they want to increase student success. They want to increase engagement and motivation," Langdon told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. However, if classes like social studies become optional, Langdon says there's a fear that students will lose a "fulsome" educational experience. "There's so many valuable opportunities for learning outside of what is your typical math and reading-type approaches that gives the full experience, let alone the discussion around the arts and music and what that brings from a cultural perspective," he said. Those subjects help with brain development and help foster a greater understanding of what's happening in the world, he said. "The more that we're aware of what's happening around the world, let alone south of the border right now, is essential to our learning," said Langdon. Langdon says he approves of a curriculum "renewal," but teachers are dealing with other variables in the classroom, like students with mental health challenges, addictions or engrained absenteeism. "Anytime you allow a young person the opportunity to, I guess, opt out or to take a certain path at a young age, are you ultimately limiting opportunities down the road? And that's the big question here," he said. The education department is looking for feedback and a survey is open until Feb. 28 and a full list of proposed changes is available online. French in the crosshairs Some worry there will be further fallout if the new education plan goes ahead. Maria Mayr is the head of Memorial University's department of modern languages, literatures and cultures. She says she was dismayed when she heard some French modules be become optional going forward. Core French 7A and 7B will still be mandatory, but other learning modules will be optional. WATCH | The CBC's Jenna Head reports on the possible changes: N.L. is proposing major changes to the junior high curriculum 2 hours ago Duration 2:26 Courses like French, Music and Social Studies might soon become optional for junior high students in Newfoundland and Labrador. The CBC's Jenna Head reports. She's also worried that smaller schools in rural Newfoundland and Labrador could be harder hit by the change if it's brought in, since there are limited resources and teachers who could offer optional modules. "What if only 10 students choose to do French? Will the school be able to actually choose to offer it?" said Mayr. While the changes are meant to boost English and math skills, she said improving education should be done in a comprehensive manner.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Required hours for certain courses could soon be cut in some N.L. schools
Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says students often lose interest in certain courses during junior high. (Julia Israel/CBC) The Newfoundland and Labrador government is looking at making big changes to the public school curriculum, which could mean students in grades seven to nine have the option of taking fewer hours of instruction in music, social studies and French. The Department of Education is looking to "modernize" the curriculum, which could make some courses fully or partially optional. It's part of a broader curriculum overhaul that is meant to improve outcomes in subjects like math and English and improve student engagement. But Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says students are still required to fulfil a minimum amount of hours in mandatory courses, such as social studies and religious education, to meet graduation requirements, but now they will have "a little bit more wiggle room." "This was one thing that we figure would be a way to bring back some of that engagement and motivate students to continue to be in school," Howell said on Tuesday. She said the new curriculum will still include essential lessons students would usually learn in a full course. Some social studies modules such as the Legacy of Confederation and Navigating Canadian Civics would still be mandatory, but modules like Echoes of War — Canada in WWI and WWII, would be optional. Home economics, music and visual arts are among the courses that would become fully optional under the new curriculum. The education minister also clarified that the possible cuts in instruction hours in certain courses doesn't mean the department needs less teachers. "When we look at what the outcome should be, we want students who are well versed across all areas and have an opportunity to experience all different types of learning and different subject areas," said Howell. "We want them to be able to pick things that are meaningful to them." Trent Langdon, president of Newfoundland and Labrador's Teachers Association, says if some classes become optional then students will miss out on a 'fulsome' educational experience. (Arlette Lazarenko/CBC) The province will start rolling out the changes in 14 schools in the 2025-26 school year. Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA) president Trent Langdon said the proposed changes are well meaning, but they won't be a "silver bullet" to fix problems in the school system. "Government's approach is ultimately — from what I've read and I've heard — that they want to increase student success. They want to increase engagement and motivation," Langdon told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. However, if classes like social studies become optional, Langdon says there's a fear that students will lose a "fulsome" educational experience. "There's so many valuable opportunities for learning outside of what is your typical math and reading-type approaches that gives the full experience, let alone the discussion around the arts and music and what that brings from a cultural perspective," he said. LISTEN | CBC's Jen White chats with Trent Langdon on potential changes coming to the curriculum: Those subjects help with brain development and help foster a greater understanding of what's happening in the world, he said. "The more that we're aware of what's happening around the world, let alone south of the border right now, is essential to our learning," said Langdon. Langdon says he approves of a curriculum "renewal," but teachers are dealing with other variables in the classroom, like students with mental health challenges, addictions or engrained absenteeism. "Anytime you allow a young person the opportunity to, I guess, opt out or to take a certain path at a young age, are you ultimately limiting opportunities down the road? And that's the big question here," he said. The education department is looking for feedback and a survey is open until Feb. 28 and a full list of proposed changes is available online. French in the crosshairs Some worry there will be further fallout if the new education plan goes ahead. Maria Mayr is the head of Memorial University's department of modern languages, literatures and cultures. She says she was dismayed when she heard some French modules be become optional going forward. Core French 7A and 7B will still be mandatory, but other learning modules will be optional. Maria Mayr, head of Memorial University's department of modern languages, literatures and cultures, is worried students will miss out on learning French. (Jonny Hodder/CBC) She's also worried that smaller schools in rural Newfoundland and Labrador could be harder hit by the change if it's brought in, since there are limited resources and teachers who could offer optional modules. "What if only 10 students choose to do French? Will the school be able to actually choose to offer it?" said Mayr. While the changes are meant to boost English and math skills, she said improving education should be done in a comprehensive manner. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
