When I was in ss1, I was in science class. then I failed and repeated the class. So, I ran to art class. Not that I loved the art class. But I knew it was a dumping ground for unserious students like me. Well, at least that's what they made us believe.

See, in Nigeria educational system, the science class is seen as the gold standard of academic brilliance. A place meant for serious and brilliant students. And the art class is seen as an IDP camp where unserious and less brilliant students are gathered.

I knew I was unserious, and I thought I was not brilliant, so obviously, art class was my only option.

When I joined art class, I thought it's going to be a smooth ride and I'd thrive with cruise. But I was wrong. I started failing there too. I knew I was in trouble if I failed again. So I buckled up, and I got serious with my studies. And that's when I thrived. But it wasn't easy. I needed creativity, intelligence, critical thinking, and discipline. If art class requires all those from you, then it's not a place for unseriousness or less intelligence.

Creativity, as we know, is the backbone of art class. This involves creating ideas, critical thinking, problem solving, and exploring opportunities. I swear, there's no way in the world that you can convince me that this intellectual versatility is less in value than solving equations, doing calculations, and mixing chemicals to form a reaction.

I was in science class, and I know that place is no joke. I couldn't cope at all. But it's the same in art class, that place is no joke! And I'm sure it's like that in commercial class too. So why place science class above art class?

What breaks me most in all of these is that there are educationists who think science class is real work, and art class is a waste of brilliance. There was a time in my secondary school when the principal was pushing for a brilliant kid who chose to be in art class to move to science class. The principal won't give up until when the kid's parent stopped the principal.

Also, there are tons of secondary school teachers who advise "brilliant students" to go to science class.

What is it with science class?

Yes, we know that In science class, students have the chance to be doctors, architects, engineers, chemists, pharmacists, and all those cool careers that our society adores. While in art class the society adores lawyers and... yeah, just lawyers. But it's a shame that our society does not adore journalists, writers, philosophers, linguists, counsellors, historians, investigators, speakers, designers, storytellers, artists, and so on. It's a bigger shame that our society doesn't see the dire need for all these careers in its environments.That is why it looks down on art class.

I know that science is all we see. Because of its powerful breakthroughs that have advanced technology and medicine over the course of time. But don't forget that there was life before all these advanced technologies and medicines. What I'm saying is, as much as we appreciate science, we can not undermine the effect of arts in the development of humanity.

For example, long before the Industrial Revolution, it was art that taught us values, passed down knowledge from generations to generations, and unified our communities.

Also, without art, the core facets of human edeavours will be lifeless. Religion and spirituality, family and society, culture and history, politics and governance, and education and knowledge will all be meaningless without storytelling. Art breathes life into the human endeavour, giving us emotions that define what it means to be human.

I can go on and on and on, but I'll stop here.

I don't care how educated you think you are, if you place science class over at class in terms of brilliance, you are the biggest dumbass I've ever seen.