Zilla Parishad trains aided-school teachers to gain expertise in extra-curricular activities

Teachers dance, paint and hit the right notes

Zilla Parishad trains aided-school teachers to gain expertise in extra-curricular activities

Extra-curricular activities for school students are gaining importance, and every noteworthy school in the city has experts on these subjects. Considering the need for aided schools to have the same expertise, Zilla Parishad, Thane, organised arts, music and dance training for teachers. This seminar, held on Monday at Marathi Grantha Sangrahalaya, was supported by Thane Zilla Shaikshanik Kaladhyapak Sangha. Noted artist Vasudeo Kamat, music expert Ajay Parad and dance expert Dr Varsha Patil spoke at the seminar and held demonstration sessions for the teachers. Kamat spoke about simple ways in which students can be taught and made interested in painting. Similar themes recurred during the talks about dance and music. Prasad and Patil explained to the teachers how students learn about the Indian culture through the same. “It has been found that private schools have special teachers for music, dance and arts. But the same is not found in the government-aided or Zilla Parishad schools. At the same time, it is important for students to participate in the extra-curricular activities. Therefore, we have started these sessions that will help teachers to know the nuances of the subjects from the experts, and pass on the same to their students,” said Ashok Misal, education officer (secondary), Zilla Parishad, Thane. Misal stated that such sessions are regularly organised for teachers to learn and get trained in the subjects, and teach the same to their students. The basic aim of such a seminar is to encourage children in the extra-curricular activities. Satish Khot, an art teacher from RPM School, Thane, who participated in this seminar said, “Usually there are art teachers in government-aided schools but no music and dance, as the government recruits only those teachers who have done their bachelors and diplomas in education. Ther­efore such sessions help teachers to know the subject and teach it to their students.”