Theatre in Education- A Workshop by National Progressive Schools' Conference

The workshop was held on 13 and 14 September, 2012 at Ramjas School. Prof. Anita Rampal, eminent educationist, spoke to inaugurate the conference, emphasising that the world of theatre is integral to learning in children. It provides an early glimpse into life itself; actions and their consequences, customs and beliefs and relating amongst ourselves, she said. It cannot be dismissed as entertainment alone and therefore peripheral in the context of education. Theatre induces introspection. Infact, thecurricular and co-curricular should not be differentiated. Anything that offers learning is curricular, she entreated.   Mr. V.K. Sharma, founder of Children Theatre Khilona Group and resource person for the workshop, shared that, the sensory organs play a vital role in theatre. The sounds andtheclarityof words are embedded in the learning process of it. It is an easy medium to orient negative energies to transform.   Teachers from 64 schools participated in the workshop. They were divided into 2 groups- one headed by Mr. Sharma and theotherby Ms. Kirandeep, the second resource person. In the various sessions that followed, teachers were made to meditate and play games that teach co-ordinationand collaboration. Teachers were further grouped in sub-groups, where they were made to dramatise real-life situations like that at a hospital, or in market place, at a police-station etc..   Ms. Mohini Bindra, Principal of Ramjas School delivered the vote of thanks. She commended the efforts of the teachers for their innovative although, impromptu dramatisations. The workshop concluded with the distribution of participation certificates.   As filed by Ms. Nidhi Bhardwaj, drama teacher.