Why Creativity Deserves a Seat at the Front of the Classroom

Somewhere along the line, creativity became the afterthought. The nice-to-have. The optional extra you could cut if the timetable got too full or exam season rolled around.

In many schools, drama, visual arts, and creative writing are treated like bonus periods—something to be slotted in between the “serious” subjects. You can feel it in how timetables are structured. You can hear it in how students talk: “Oh, that’s just drama class,” or “It’s not a real subject.” You can even see it when acting courses or film-related electives are quietly pushed aside in favor of more “practical” learning.

But here’s the reality: creativity isn’t the break from real learning. It is real learning.

Creativity Is a Survival Skill

In a world that’s evolving faster than most curricula can keep up with, creativity is one of the most relevant, transferable, and powerful skills a student can develop.

We don’t need more rote memorization. We need thinkers. Adaptable ones. Teenagers who can navigate ambiguity, communicate clearly, generate original ideas, and problem-solve in groups. That’s what creativity builds.

And yet, many educational systems still treat drama class, screen acting class, or even a movie acting class as extracurricular fluff. Fun, sure—but not foundational. That couldn’t be more backwards.

What Actually Happens in a Creative Class

Let’s take one example: a screen acting class in Dubai. A group of teens walks in—some confident, some shy. They’re handed a scene and a camera. No multiple-choice questions. No single right answer. They have to figure it out. Together.

They read. They block scenes. They miss their cues. They laugh. They argue about what the character really meant. They try again. They start to listen—to the scene, to each other. They learn emotional intelligence without it being labeled that. They learn how to take direction. How to give feedback. How to stay focused when the boom mic is drooping and the line was missed… again.

That’s not just a film acting class. That’s creativity in action. That’s life prep.

Creativity Supports the “Academic” Too

This isn’t about setting creativity against academics. In fact, the research keeps confirming what good educators have always known: creative thinking supports analytical thinking. Drama helps with reading comprehension. Improvisation boosts confidence in public speaking. Collaborative creative projects improve group dynamics and reduce classroom anxiety.

We see it constantly. A quiet child who finds their voice during a performance. A teen who discovers how good it feels to write and direct something that others connect with. A group of students learning time management not from a worksheet—but from trying to finish filming before the venue kicks them out.

Education Needs More Than Just A’s

We say we want the next generation of changemakers, but we shrink their creative time to make room for test prep. We want them to lead, but we don’t always give them the space to explore who they are outside of grades.

Creative classes—like a drama class, screen acting class, or film acting course—offer something no standardised test can measure: the ability to think differently and express it confidently.

The Takeaway (No, Not a CTA)

We’re not suggesting every child needs to become an actor. Most won’t. That’s not the point.

The point is this: creativity shouldn’t be treated like an indulgence. It’s a core part of developing curious, capable, emotionally intelligent young people.

We should build that through screen acting, filmmaking, and storytelling. Not because we expect every student to pursue the screen professionally, but because we know creativity isn’t a side dish.

It’s the main course.