Today is the 8th in my series of blog posts celebrating the TEDxPortElizabeth 10th Anniversary. When I was growing up, I thought I would study art and design after high school. It didn’t turn out that way, so even though I stopped sketching and only did a handful of oil paintings while living in Joburg, I love and support artists and their artworks wherever possible. Mbali Group was a really inspiring selection of our speaker program and shared transforming schools with educational murals.
Introduction to School Murals as a Creative Solution
Murals have the power to transform dull walls into vibrant canvases that inspire and educate. In many schools, plain walls often fall victim to vandalism such as graffiti and scribbles. However, Mdali, a group of students from Cowan High School, has explored a unique solution: creating educational murals that not only beautify the space but also improve the school environment and foster a sense of belonging and pride among learners. Mdali Group’s Sinayo Lungile, Thembalethu Aplani and Yonela Jebese share how transforming schools with educational murals and inspiring art.
Initiated by their mentor, Mr Police Alvarenga, the idea was embraced as an innovative way for artistic students to showcase their talents while spreading awareness about positive communication and education within the school. The murals go beyond art—they serve as a visual campaign to engage students, reduce unwanted wall writings, and enrich the school’s atmosphere.
Understanding the Problem: Vandalism on School Walls
The students identified several approaches to managing vandalism on school walls, such as chemical cleaning or simply painting over the graffiti. However, these methods posed problems: chemically cleaning the walls was temporary and costly, and painting over with plain colours risked creating uninspiring spaces that could encourage more vandalism.
As the students articulated, a clean but boring wall leaves room for others to leave their mark, often through unauthorised writings or drawings. Instead of discouraging scribbles, it may invite them because learners seek to express themselves or “leave a mark” in a school environment that feels uninspiring to them.
The Power of Murals: Education, Inspiration, and Engagement
Murals have the potential to change this dynamic by creating an environment that is 100% inspiring, educational, and interesting. According to the students, the current school environment only meets about 50% of those qualities. While there are some educational materials in textbooks and lessons, the physical spaces around the students are largely uninspiring or neglected.
By introducing murals with educational themes, schools can increase these percentages, leading to a richer learning environment. A well-designed mural can include:
- Educational content such as key concepts or motivational quotes
- Visual storytelling that empowers students in their pursuit of knowledge
- Artistic elements that make the school a more welcoming and positive space
- This active participation encourages learners to appreciate their surroundings and take ownership of their school’s identity.
Addressing Students’ Motivations Behind Wall Writing
An important insight from the group’s research was understanding why students write on walls in the first place. 90% admitted it was not about vandalism but their desire to be seen and remembered. Writing on walls was a form of self-expression, a way of marking their presence at school, or proudly declaring their involvement in various activities such as culinary arts or health programmes.
By providing an alternative outlet—murals that celebrate these identities and achievements—students can both express themselves creatively and feel part of a larger community. Murals can serve as a historical marker, a reminder of past students’ journeys and a source of motivation for current learners.
Murals as Symbols of Hope and Resilience
Beyond education, murals can communicate powerful life messages. Students face many challenges, and sometimes struggle with feelings of self-worth. Murals designed with themes of resilience and hope can encourage: reminders not to give up, to persevere through the ‘levels’ of life, and to see education as a mission that leads to success.
These messages can help raise students’ motivation and achievement levels, fostering a positive school culture where learners are supported beyond academics.
Practical Benefits and Impact of Murals
- Reduction in Vandalism: When walls carry meaningful art, students respect them more, leading to fewer instances of graffiti or defacement.
- Enhanced School Environment: Murals make the school visually appealing and create spaces that inspire learning and pride.
- Empowering Youth Artists: Providing a platform for creative expression nurtures talents and promotes a constructive use of free time.
- Community Building: Murals can involve input from students, teachers, and even parents, creating a shared sense of ownership.
Conclusion: From Concept to Lasting Change
The idea of educational murals in schools is more than a beautification project—it’s a strategic approach to building a positive and stimulating school environment. By fulfilling the criteria of being inspiring, interesting, and educational, murals pave the way for students to engage more deeply with their learning space and with each other.
As the students of Leonard Cohen High School suggest, achieving 100% of these qualities in the school environment can lead to 100% success in educational outcomes. Encouraging creative solutions like murals boosts student motivation, reduces vandalism, and fosters a culture of respect and pride that benefits the whole school community. This is how art is transforming schools with educational murals.
Inspiration awaits on every wall—let’s turn blank spaces into colourful journeys of learning and growth!
Post-conference interview with Mdali Group
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