The choice of Visual Arts Option: Perceptions of Newly Admitted JHS1 Students at Bagabaga College of Education Model School, Tamale-Ghana

This study assessed Bagabaga College of Education Model JHS 1 students’ perceptions on the choice to study the Visual Arts option of the Basic Design and Technology subject studied in Ghanaian Junior High Schools. Basic Seven (7) pupils were used so that the study could accurately examine the pupils’ perception on the choice to study Visual Arts which were more likely to iron out any negative perceptions about the course and to sustain the teaching and learning of the course across Ghana. Action research of the qualitative inquiry was adopted for the study. Focused group interviews and observations were conducted among the pupils to guarantee a greater representation of the population. The pupils expressed that they are affected by the negative perceptions conceived by their peers about the study of the Visual Arts subject in future. Parents also advised their wards to study other subjects for their future careers more than Visual Arts. All the pupils interviewed stated that their peers convinced them that the Visual Arts subject is meant for those with low thinking abilities. The pupils finally concluded that they got the desire to pursue Visual Arts as their career subject after they had been taught some foundational topics during the first term of the first year. In conclusion, educated parents influence their wards’ future careers more than the non-educated parents, hence children should be given the opportunity to exhibit their self-desired and directed careers.