By IANS,
Jammu : The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Wednesday organised, for the first time, a workshop here aimed at integrating art into education.
M. Saleem Beg, convener of INTACH, which works for art, culture and heritage conservation, said the one-day workshop on “Improving the quality of Education through Art Integrated Learning & Child Participation” was held in collaboration with the Department of School Education and the Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu.
Over 50 teachers from government schools in Jammu and Rajouri districts of the state participated, Beg said.
Beg said the workshop was held with the aim of introducing art, theatre and photography in schools, not with the goal of producing professionals in these areas, but to improve students’ observation, enquiry and understanding.
The project, which started in Kashmir in June this year, will cover 100 schools in the state — 50 schools each in Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The project aims at increasing the success rate of government schools, where pass percentage continues to be dismal.
The programme is aimed at teachers involved in primary education, teaching students up to class 8, and works within the structure of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005, mandated by the National Council for Educational Research and Training.
Dr. S.S. Bloeria, vice chancellor, Central University of Jammu, said the effort was to reduce the “burden” of learning for the child, and ensure that children learn to connect knowledge gained in school to life outside the school, so that curiosity is kindled and nurtured in schools.