Clay Creations at the Workshop

In the picture, the children are taking part in a clay or pottery workshop. Each of them is shaping a lump of clay on the table, and I can see finished bowls and small figurines placed on a shelf at the side. On the table there are wooden shaping tools, a bowl of water for smoothing the clay, and aprons hanging on the chairs. What I also noticed is that the children's hands are quite messy, which suggests they have been working for a while and are not afraid to get dirty.

I once made a photo frame out of ice-cream sticks for my mother's birthday. It took me two afternoons, and the first version fell apart because I did not let the glue dry properly before adding the decorations. I had to start again, and the second one held together, although it was slightly crooked. My mother still has it on her dressing table, and I think she likes it more than the crooked corners deserve.

Yes, I feel schools should. Art and craft give students a break from sitting still and writing, and some children who struggle with academic subjects discover that they are very good with their hands. It also teaches patience and problem-solving, because when something does not turn out right you have to work out why and try again. I understand that curriculum time is limited and examinations matter, however I believe a school that only trains us to sit for papers is not preparing us for everything life will ask of us.