The accelerated decline of music education in public schools in Lagos State, Nigeria is now a worrisome development. There is now an urgent need of repositioning music education in public schools in Lagos State and indeed in across Nigerian schools.

Former President, United States of America, Bill Clinton once said “music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and, by studying music in school, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective.”

Music education has disappeared in public schools in Lagos State due to some stringent policies by the government. I want to appeal to the Lagos State government through the Commissioner of Education Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo that music education is essential and it should be repositioned and made available to all students in not only private schools but in our public schools across the State. The government through the Ministry of Education should restrategize ways forward to commit and invest more funds and bring back the Music in our classrooms.

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IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

Music education is an important aspect of children’s education that must not be neglected by any government.

Arts is an important component of education. The slow pace of development of music education in our public schools needs urgent resuscitation and repositioning. The authorities seems to neglect the importance of music in our public school.

Government needs to pay more attention to the arts and look inward with total overhaul of their policies in order to address the issues of music in our public school. It is public knowledge that Music education is not receiving its proper attention in public schools. Most schools do not have the required personnels and facilities to teach music in the classrooms; this should be a wake up call to the Lagos State government that repositioning of learning and teaching of music in our public school is of utmost importance.

The Nigerian child must be encouraged to exhibit their talents even as they pursue academics. Music plays a significant role and is essential for students. Music education should be made available to all students in our public school.

According to Plato, music is a useful instrument for education because more than anything else, rhythm and harmony find their way into the inmost soul and take strongest hold upon it.

HOW TO REPOSITION MUSIC EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LAGOS STATE

The importance of music to any country cannot be undermined. Research has shown that music education improves student academic success, listening skills, self-esteem, creativity, relieving stress, instrument playing shaping the future of kids.

The Government should engage music educators to review our curriculum to focus on Nigeria popular music, infuse traditional folk music. Another important steps required by government is in making music education attractive. This can be achieved by infusing the study and learning of popular music into the existing curriculum.

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In addition, to reposition music education in public schools in Lagos State, government should include the study of the history of Nigeria Art Composers. For example, notable musicians and musicologists like Fela Sowande, Ayo Bankole Snr, Samuel Akpabot, lkoli Harcourt, Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips amongst others. This should be in addition to our popular musicians like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Victor Olaiya, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Asa, Olamide etc.

Shosanya Babatunde Oluwaseyi, Researcher, Scholar, Music Educator Historian, and Organist. He is the President Fellowship of Organist and former Head of Music at British International School Lekki Lagos.

Music Director

I am Music Estate’s Music Director