Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Creativity is at the heart of a healthy society
PETE STEVENSON is concerned that children have an extraordinary capacity to innovate, but they are encouraged by teachers and parents to grow out of creativity, to leave it behind to the detriment of society as a whole
Entertainment is part of an after-school programme, in Cienfuegos, sponsored by the Union of Writers and Artists in Cuba (UNEAC)

I WORK as a teacher in schools promoting the values of cultural diversity and race equality through interactive storytelling workshops. It’s great to feel part of ongoing projects to challenge racism, which is sadly active in many parts of the country.

However, as I was packing away my African drums and glove puppets one afternoon, a teacher said: “It’s good to give the children something different, something fun.”

I reflected on this as I drove away and thought: “Is that what I do, just give them fun experiences? Surely I do more than that?”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Features / 11 March 2024
11 March 2024
As part of the recently re-formed Exeter Stop the War Coalition, PETE STEVENSON explains how talented artist Becca Edwards engaged young people in a collaborative painting for Palestine
(L to R) Meryl Streep as US president Orlean, Lonnie Farmer
Opinion / 3 January 2022
3 January 2022
PETE STEVENSON compares Don’t Look Up, the most recent offering by the network, to Armageddon classics and finds it wanting on several counts
Attendees at Watchet Pride
Features / 19 August 2019
19 August 2019
PETE STEVENSON tells a positive story of a community who fought back after a homophobic and misogynist hate crime in the harbour town of Watchet
Similar stories
UNRECOGNISED POTENTIA:L: Girl students conduct an experiment by throwing cotton balls to demonstrate the instinctive reaction of flinching at The Big Bang Fair 2025, for young scientists and engineers, at the NEC in Birmingham on June 18 2025
Science and Society / 16 July 2025
16 July 2025

What’s behind the stubborn gender gap in Stem disciplines ask ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT in their column Science and Society

Socialist musicians / Pic: Author supplied
Poetry / 29 May 2025
29 May 2025

Human rights activist PETE STEVENSON, aka Pete the Poet, considers alternative ways of holding a meeting

National Education Union leader Daniel Kebede
Features / 17 April 2025
17 April 2025

We face austerity, privatisation, and toxic influence. But we are growing, and cannot be beaten

Striking members of the National Education Union (NEU) on Pi
NEU Conference 2025 / 15 April 2025
15 April 2025

Educators must fight for an inclusive, creative system that values all children