Enhancing Creative Arts Teaching in KZN: An Action Research Project with Senior Phase Teachers in the Zululand District

This study aimed to enhance the pedagogical competence and confidence of non-specialist Creative Arts teachers in the Zululand District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Many of these teachers, assigned to teach Music, Drama, Dance, and Visual Art without prior training, experience difficulties implementing the Annual Teaching Plan (ATP). Guided by an Action Research Design, the project was a collaborative initiative between the University of Zululand’s Faculty of Education and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education. The Data was collected through participatory workshops, reflective discussions, observations, and teacher feedback sessions. Findings revealed that while teachers initially demonstrated limited understanding of the Creative Arts curriculum, sustained participation in hands-on, collaborative workshops significantly improved their content knowledge, confidence, and classroom practices. The workshops encouraged peer learning and the integration of local artistic expressions into teaching, making lessons more engaging and culturally relevant. However, persistent challenges such as limited resources and inadequate ongoing support remain. The study recommends continuous professional development initiatives, the establishment of regional Creative Arts teacher clusters, and stronger collaboration between universities and education departments to sustain teacher growth. This research contributes to scholarship by demonstrating how participatory, context-sensitive action research can empower non-specialist teachers and advance Creative Arts education in rural South African contexts.