Katumani Junior Academy students during this year's Subcounty Music Festivals. Photo Virginia Siebela. 
By Virginia Siebela
The low participation of boys in music competitions has sparked concern among education stakeholders, triggering renewed discussions on how to address the gender imbalance in the arts.
Teachers have observed a consistent trend where girls not only outnumber but also outperform boys in music festivals across the years. They are now calling for a deliberate shift in focus to support and nurture boys' talent in the creative arts.
James Nguta, a teacher at Mikono Comprehensive School, has urged the Ministry of Education to invest in specialized infrastructure and technical training tailored to boys, particularly in music and drama.
Speaking during the Subcounty Music Festivals held at Uganda Martyrs in Machakos Town Constituency, educators attributed the dominance of girls in the competitions to their strong affinity for languages and consistent academic excellence in national exams.
This year’s event saw Katumani Junior Academy crowned the best private school, while Mikono Comprehensive School from Kola Ward received accolades for promoting citizenship and was named the best public institution.
As the county-level competitions approach, both institutions remain optimistic about advancing to the national stage and showcasing their growing talent.
Katumani Junior academy were the main sponsors of the event.
