Moderating Effects of Arts Education to the Relationship of Creativity and Critical Thinking of Junior High School Students in Gumaca, Quezon

This study investigated the moderating effects of art education on the relationship between creativity and critical thinking of junior high school students at Camohaguin National High School in Gumaca, Quezon. In today's educational environment, nurturing both creativity and critical thinking is important in developing learners who can adapt to complex problems, innovate solutions, and engage in meaningful decision-making. These skills are increasingly emphasized in 21st-century education frameworks and are considered essential for academic and lifelong success. Although several studies have separately explored how art education influences creativity and critical thinking, there remains a lack of research examining how art education acts as a bridge that strengthens the connection between the two. This study addresses that gap by asking: Does the quality of art education enhance the relationship between students’ creativity and critical thinking? Using a descriptive-correlational design and a quantitative approach, the researcher selected 100 respondents through proportionate sampling across Grades 7 to 10 students. The study focused on three primary variables: the quality of art education received, the level of creativity, and the level of critical thinking. The demographic data showed a balanced gender distribution (50% male, 50% female), with the majority of respondents coming from Grade 8. Findings revealed that students with greater exposure to high-quality art education demonstrated significantly higher levels of creativity and critical thinking. Moreover, statistical analysis confirmed that art education had a moderating effect, meaning it strengthened the positive relationship between creativity and critical thinking. These findings suggest that when students receive well-structured and engaging art education, their ability to think critically and creatively is enhanced. The study’s key message is that art education is not only a source of creative expression but also a strategic tool for cognitive development. This highlights the need for schools to invest in and enrich their art education programs to cultivate well-rounded, thoughtful, and innovative learners. The results contribute to the field of education by offering evidence-based insights that support the integration of quality art education into the core curriculum, benefiting educators, school leaders, policymakers, and future researchers alike.