Ziniar©: The Minister of Education, Jacques Sosth¨ne Dingara, has urged educational stakeholders to expose students to the rich cultural and historical values embedded in Burkina Faso's tourist sites. He emphasized that these sites offer an alternative form of education that students should explore.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Dingara made this call during a visit to the Laongo granite sculpture site, a significant event during Cultural Heritage Month. He highlighted the importance of allowing education workers, especially those from the Central Plateau, to appreciate the artistic and cultural wealth represented at the site. This initiative aims to integrate artistic education into the curriculum, showcasing the value of art in transmitting moral and educational lessons to children.
The minister stressed that the artworks at Laongo are not only visually impressive but also carry stories that underscore the importance of art as an African treasure. This treasure, he noted, should be preserved and used to impart knowledge and morality to students within classrooms.
Ousmane Bamogo, the head of the Ouaga III Basic Education District, supported this view, stating that the visit was not merely a tourist activity but a symbolic gesture encouraging the reclamation of Burkina Faso's history and the introduction of its cultural heritage to young people. He commended the ministry for its initiative, describing it as truly noble.
Emma Traor©, a teacher at the Tandaga school in Ziniar©, expressed her delight after visiting the Laongo site with ministry members. She found the works and their messages profound and encouraged other educators to organize similar visits. Traor© believes that exposing children to the hidden histories and values defended by the artists at such sites is crucial.
The Laongo granite sculpture site, established in 1989 by Siriki Ki, is situated in Ziniar©, Oubritenga province, about 35 kilometers from Ouagadougou. It stands as a testament to the artistic and cultural heritage of Burkina Faso.