Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Leh organized a 10 day function on ‘Theatre in Education’ Programme for Zonal Resource Persons (ZRPs) and Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs) of Education Department from 25th August to 5th September in the Academy Office Complex Leh. EC Sheep Husbandry Gyurmet Dorje was the Chief Guest. The training to the ZRPs and CRPs was offered by LTO Director and Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Mipham Otsal.

The participants while giving feed back to Mipham Otsal about the 10 days training said that earlier they thought it would be a singing, dancing and acting training but after completing the 10 days they realized how much theatre is important in education. Moving away from the regular chalk and talk method, the ZRPs and CRPs during these days were trained about therapy for developing one’s mind. Theatre helps in developing of body, speech and mind that in turn helps the students exploring their inner qualities. Theatre courses and performance helps improve students’ self-esteem as well as their confidence in their academic abilities.

Tsewang Paljor Lecturer DIET highlighted that theatre plays an important role in shaping and grooming of the teacher and creating learning atmosphere in the school. Theatre in Education can allow students to develop an understanding of themselves and others.

Mipham Otsal while addressing the gathering said that it is necessary to realize why I am born and what are my duties. He added that these kinds of workshop help the individual dealing different situations.

Gyurmet Dorje said that few years back due to lack of local teachers the students had to face lots of difficulty due to language barrier. But now with recruitment of local teachers these problems no longer exist. “I assure that LAHDC will extend full support, be in financially or any other kind of assistance for meeting the demands of the education department. The results of Government schools were also very good since the last few years and are as equal as private school”.

The ZRPs and CRPs unanimously passed a resolution mentioning that locally relevant activities should be incorporated in the curriculum, a specific training on developing mindfulness should be imparted to bridge the gap between training and its implementation in the field, workshop on theatre on education must be conducted regularly and every teacher must be availed with the opportunity to participate, provision of special fund by the councilor to their respective Cluster Resource Centre for promotion of elements of theatre in education, teachers role should be encouraged and valued in the preparation and updating the Annual Academic calendar, an annual conference to bridge the knowledge and experience of all the teachers and stakeholders for education to prosper in the district must be called, training on folk music and dance for the ZRPs and CRPs should be provided. Knowledge in the implementation of SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) should be developed well among the concerned teachers.

Konchok Angmo Principal DIET, CEO Tsewang Phuntsog, Sonam Dorje Councillor Lingshet, Tsering Angchuk ZRP Khaltsi, Nurboo Tundup CRP Nyoma and Sonam Dolma CRP Sakti also spoke on the occasion.  

Earlier, J&K Cultural Academy's Special officer Tsewang Paljor presented the welcome speech extending thanks to CEO for sending capable persons from the department to attend the workshop.