Teacher Orientation Program for Schools (TOPS)

Worldwide research has shown that theatre contributes to the overall development of a child and even helps in improving their academic performance.

TOPS is a program to initiate teachers into theatre; to enable and equip them to experience its overall benefits and see its value in the lives of students as well as their own.

Theatre tools can be applied in:

• Development of life skills; the globally accepted 21st century skills in students 
• Teaching academic subjects in the classroom, to make learning more child-centred and experiential. 
• Improving teachers’ level of communication skills, enabling teachers to overcome inhibitions and connect better with their students. 
• Bringing creativity and variation in their teaching, to keep the students engaged.

The implementation of the TOPS program should be planned for an extended period to maximize its benefits and to align with the time constraints faced by teachers within their academic schedules. Nonetheless, an excellent initial step is to conduct an introductory workshop. This workshop can serve as a foundation upon which teachers and schools can make informed decisions about the program’s direction, tailoring it to their specific needs and interests.

The introductory workshop – Introduction to Theatre-in-Education (TiE)

The National Education Policy of 2020 mandates the inclusion of theatre and art as integral components of the teaching and learning process. While many teachers incorporate theatre into their teaching methods, it often remains confined to activities like role plays and simple reenactments of scenes and stories, primarily aimed at conveying the lesson’s message.  This restricted approach fails to harness the full potential of this potent experiential methodology.

Structure

This introductory workshop comprises three primary objectives.  The workshop is structured in three parts to address these objectives:

• Demystify TiE and Gain a Comprehensive Understanding
• Experience TiE Through Practical Tools & Techniques
• Hands-on Application of TiE within the Curriculum

Duration

The recommended duration of this workshop is between 3-4 days, with about 6 hours of experiential training per day. 

Follow-up

BLT facilitators would be accessible to review additional lesson plans implemented by teachers in their classrooms, provide feedback and suggest improvements as well. 

The Larger Program – Future sessions

On completion of this introductory workshop, if the participants wish to undergo further training, BLT could tailor the remainder of the program to suit specific needs. 

This could include:

• Refresher workshops to be conducted on a monthly / quarterly / semi-annual basis.
• Become part of a collaborative network of teachers and BLT facilitators to share, exchange, and discuss lesson plans, notes, feedback, and advice.
• Engage BLT facilitators actively in observing lessons conducted by teachers in real classroom settings, offering valuable feedback. 
• Provide ongoing support to ensure the continued integration of theatre tools into teachers’ lesson plans over time.