Lessons from the stage
Pratima Adhikary Auckel
Copy Writer with News On Sunday/Financial News that also includes Industry Update. Holds a BA(Hons) and an MSc from Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan. She also writes features and news. She has worked for CAPART (Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology), Ministry of Rural Development, India. By Pratima Adhikary Auckel
Published on 6th June, 2008
The pupils of De La Salle RCA School are presenting a show, 'What a wonderful world', at the Port Louis Theatre from Thursday June 5 to Saturday. It is a role play, for pupils, parents and also the public in general. Some 135 children of different standards are participating in it.
The title practically explains the show itself. It speaks about the world and is an opportunity for kids to discover the global culture through role play, choreography, songs, and music.
The Headteacher, Roseline Appadoo, is of the opinion that learning by acting is very effective for children. She says : “Although there are books and different media of communication, primary children somehow don't react much to such media. They believe and respond to what they see live,or what the fellow friend or teacher does.”
Role play forms part of modern teaching. Lessons and topics have to be activity based elicit a reaction from the children. Through this show, the children will know more about different communities and cultures of the people over the world. They can extol the virtues of different cultures like Indian, American, Chinese, African, among others, living in harmony.
Role play is nothing new to the pupils of this school.
“Almost every month opportunities for role play are provided during the school assembly. It is done mostly to teach moral values to children. All the teaching and learning is consolidated in a show where not only one class but the pupils from the different classes are assembled together to perform.
“The school has done such shows in the past. Another purpose of the show is to raise funds for small school projects. But it is not something that can be done yearly. We wish to make it a yearly event but it requires a lot of planning, resources and time.
“This particular play has a special message that all the children of the world are the same and form part of a greater family. We often think that the grass is greener on the other side. Through this show, pupils will discover that all the children have the same dream, they love to play, realize and recognize beautiful things,” Roseline adds.
The parents will also be able to realize that their kids are blessed with many talents. They must give some time and encourage them to take part in various extra curricular activities, she adds.
William Wong, member of the parent teachers association says: “I am happy to see my daughter performing. Since a couple of Saturdays, I have been accompanying her to school for the rehearsals. I believe that such activities help children to develop their character and behaviour. Also it is a good break for them to do something light and lively, they really love to do. I am fully supportive and feel that all parents should encourage and promote facilities to develop non academic skills also.”
The Headteacher, Roseline Appadoo, is of the opinion that learning by acting is very effective for children. She says : “Although there are books and different media of communication, primary children somehow don't react much to such media. They believe and respond to what they see live,or what the fellow friend or teacher does.”
Role play forms part of modern teaching. Lessons and topics have to be activity based elicit a reaction from the children. Through this show, the children will know more about different communities and cultures of the people over the world. They can extol the virtues of different cultures like Indian, American, Chinese, African, among others, living in harmony.
Role play is nothing new to the pupils of this school.
“Almost every month opportunities for role play are provided during the school assembly. It is done mostly to teach moral values to children. All the teaching and learning is consolidated in a show where not only one class but the pupils from the different classes are assembled together to perform.
“The school has done such shows in the past. Another purpose of the show is to raise funds for small school projects. But it is not something that can be done yearly. We wish to make it a yearly event but it requires a lot of planning, resources and time.
“This particular play has a special message that all the children of the world are the same and form part of a greater family. We often think that the grass is greener on the other side. Through this show, pupils will discover that all the children have the same dream, they love to play, realize and recognize beautiful things,” Roseline adds.
The parents will also be able to realize that their kids are blessed with many talents. They must give some time and encourage them to take part in various extra curricular activities, she adds.
William Wong, member of the parent teachers association says: “I am happy to see my daughter performing. Since a couple of Saturdays, I have been accompanying her to school for the rehearsals. I believe that such activities help children to develop their character and behaviour. Also it is a good break for them to do something light and lively, they really love to do. I am fully supportive and feel that all parents should encourage and promote facilities to develop non academic skills also.”
Mentoring goes beyond teaching
Like many BEC schools, Ecole de la Salle too has a mentor, a qualified person integrated in the main stream of education as a result of a written test followed by an interview. The job of a mentor goes beyond normal teaching and normal school hours. It is the person in the school that knows everything about a kid and his needs.
In the process of empowering children, the teachers are not left alone. Throughout the year, the school has a mentor, an experienced teacher to impart the best education. The mentor equally shoulders the pedagogical exercises, teaching difficulties and doubts, and establishes positive relationship with the teachers and shares good practices, to make the child an independent learner. Concerning teaching strategies, the mentor guides, counsels and helps teachers to use a variety of teaching strategies and tools.
Poonum Purmah, mentor, says: “ We cater for all in the school to make learning and teaching easy. We also give technical support and help in solving problems. In present day education system, a lot of emphesis is laid on group work and cooperative learning. This is done with the collaboration of other teacher.
“Mentor in the RCA schools existed since long, in an informal way. This was done by the BEC inspectors who visited schools for regular meetings, provided teaching information and arranged for refresher courses. The RCA schools have eight mentors who are regularly updated by participating in workshops, seminars and refresher courses. Last year a refresher course was carried out entitled, “Leading to authentic learning”. Poonum says the course helped mentors learn “to engage our pupils in learning. This is the main thing a teacher should know. If one is unable to engage the child in learning, one is worthless as a teacher, “ she says.
Some are of the opinion that mentoring should be abolished. However, before making any statement, she says, one should have a close look at the education sector. “How would it look when the link of the chain goes missing? The link is provided by the mentors. The head teachers and the deputy head teachers have a bulky administrative task to address. Herein the mentor looks at the pedagogical side which is very important in the education of a child.”
Poonum feels that more mentors should be recruited. She says: “ It would help teachers and students,especially when we have slow learners. Mentors help teachers to recognize the activities, resources and teaching aid. “Mentors are an important part of a pedagogical team in projects like 'Bridging the gap' started in 2006 or the 'Inclusive Pedagogy' started in 1996 by RCA. I would personally say abolishing the post is not a move in the right direction. It can come only from a sick and sterile mind,” she adds.
In the process of empowering children, the teachers are not left alone. Throughout the year, the school has a mentor, an experienced teacher to impart the best education. The mentor equally shoulders the pedagogical exercises, teaching difficulties and doubts, and establishes positive relationship with the teachers and shares good practices, to make the child an independent learner. Concerning teaching strategies, the mentor guides, counsels and helps teachers to use a variety of teaching strategies and tools.
Poonum Purmah, mentor, says: “ We cater for all in the school to make learning and teaching easy. We also give technical support and help in solving problems. In present day education system, a lot of emphesis is laid on group work and cooperative learning. This is done with the collaboration of other teacher.
“Mentor in the RCA schools existed since long, in an informal way. This was done by the BEC inspectors who visited schools for regular meetings, provided teaching information and arranged for refresher courses. The RCA schools have eight mentors who are regularly updated by participating in workshops, seminars and refresher courses. Last year a refresher course was carried out entitled, “Leading to authentic learning”. Poonum says the course helped mentors learn “to engage our pupils in learning. This is the main thing a teacher should know. If one is unable to engage the child in learning, one is worthless as a teacher, “ she says.
Some are of the opinion that mentoring should be abolished. However, before making any statement, she says, one should have a close look at the education sector. “How would it look when the link of the chain goes missing? The link is provided by the mentors. The head teachers and the deputy head teachers have a bulky administrative task to address. Herein the mentor looks at the pedagogical side which is very important in the education of a child.”
Poonum feels that more mentors should be recruited. She says: “ It would help teachers and students,especially when we have slow learners. Mentors help teachers to recognize the activities, resources and teaching aid. “Mentors are an important part of a pedagogical team in projects like 'Bridging the gap' started in 2006 or the 'Inclusive Pedagogy' started in 1996 by RCA. I would personally say abolishing the post is not a move in the right direction. It can come only from a sick and sterile mind,” she adds.
Linda makes task easy
The making of 'What a wonderful world' was not an easy task. Bringing the world’s cultures on the stage certainly takes a lot of planning, says Linda Douce, Deputy head teacher and the main person behind the show.
She points out that organizing was indeed a difficult task, especially when the show involves 135 pupils. “Moreover, a lot of homework had to be done. I had to write the script, choose and select different songs and dances. But our mentor and the team of teachers helped me a lot. In fact, the work has been divided and each of us is responsible for one specific task - choreography, music and the right outfit.
“We started the work quite early in February . The students have their normal classes also; so we worked on Saturdays and during the April holidays,”she adds. Such shows stay as good souvenirs in the children's mind. “After all, we treasure happy memories.” Linda has faith in the children and expects that their hard work will “reap success like the earlier show.”
She points out that organizing was indeed a difficult task, especially when the show involves 135 pupils. “Moreover, a lot of homework had to be done. I had to write the script, choose and select different songs and dances. But our mentor and the team of teachers helped me a lot. In fact, the work has been divided and each of us is responsible for one specific task - choreography, music and the right outfit.
“We started the work quite early in February . The students have their normal classes also; so we worked on Saturdays and during the April holidays,”she adds. Such shows stay as good souvenirs in the children's mind. “After all, we treasure happy memories.” Linda has faith in the children and expects that their hard work will “reap success like the earlier show.”