Effect of Aural Tests on Choice of Music as a Study Subject by Muslim Students in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Music education has a global acceptance as it helps improve and promote/ develop creativity and language skills among students. However, among the Muslim community, excessive instrumental music is not given prominence. This comes from the Hadiths by the prophet Muhammad that forbid music. In Kenya, the coastal region is mostly comprised of the Muslim community who hardly choose to pursue Music subject. This prompted this study that evaluated the effect of the inclusion of the aural tests in the curriculum on the choice of Music as a study subject by Muslim students in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study used a survey research design. The sample population consisted of 27 participants as follows: 2 music teachers, 8 students, 8 parents, 1 Kenya Institute Curriculum Development Officer at the national level, 1 Quality Assurance and Standard Officer and 7 career masters. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, which was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings show that there were negative perception aural tests (listening and notating non-Islamic music) due to religious requirement as well as ignorance that led to Muslim students dropping Music subject. In conclusion, despite the knowledge of the Muslim parents at the coast region of Kenya on their children choice of Music as a stud subject, they do not influence them from dropping it at senior secondary. The teaching by Prophet Muhamad against Music and its propagation by the Imams and other Muslim leaders at the coast of Kenya led to most Muslim sponsored schools in Kenya to disadvantage against choosing Music subject as a career path. The study recommends that priority should be given to Islamic content in music studies and encouraging Muslim communities in Kenya to embrace music as a career subject.