In a bid to boost the interest for theatre among the people, the Directorate of Art and Culture, have introduced theatre art in schools as an optional subject that carries academic grades, for students from standard eight to tenth.

An official of the art and culture directorate says that the main aim of this decision is to take theatre to the people. Such a subject goes beyond teaching students the ropes of theatre. It equips them with life long skills such as self-confidence, overcome stage fear, develops personality which is useful in meeting challenges in future.
Mr Avadhoot Sahakari, a theatre art teacher says that so far this subject has drawn a positive response from the student community.  He says, “With TV and other such channels becoming a force pulling children away from drama, moves such as the introduction of theatre as a subject is helpful in making realise the potent force of theatre a medium.”
It has been for two successive years that this subject has been running successfully in talukas of Sanguem and Quepem. Mr Sahakari says, “Recently our students performed on the occasion of Independence day. Various plays on social issues were highlighted.  Schools of Pope John XXIII HS, Quepem, enacted a play which spoke of the harmful consequences of pollution, the Union HS, Sanguem staged a play on the theme of Vanamotsav while yet another school, Utkarsh HS, Revonam, Sanguem visually described the valiant Kargil history battled by India’s brave soldiers.” (CR)