School Education Dept. holds science-drama competitions in haste, allege drama teachers

Drama teachers in government high schools across Karnataka have expressed dismay over the way the Department of School Education is conducting this year’s Science Drama Competitions, an event meant to nurture scientific temperament among students, conducted in association with Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum. They say the lack of preparation and application of mind has left students and teachers struggling.

The State-level competitions are scheduled to be held in Shivamogga on Saturday. According to the teachers, the schedule was drawn up with little regard for the time needed to prepare. “This is a prestigious and significant event. Students of Karnataka have represented the State at the national level and won prizes. But this time, the Department began the process only on October 28, and within 15 days, the competition has reached the State level,” a teacher said.

Theme reached schools late

Teachers said they were kept in the dark about this year’s theme. The Department sent a circular to district and taluk block education officers on October 28, but it reached individual schools only on November 1.

The theme this year is “Science and Society”, with four sub-themes, one of which had to be chosen for the script. “We learnt about the theme only on November 1, and the taluk-level competitions were scheduled for November 5. How can anyone write a script, rehearse and stage a play in four days?” a teacher asked.

The circular also directed officers to complete the district and divisional-level rounds before November 11. “Now the State-level competition is fixed for November 14 in Shivamogga. The entire process has been designed in haste, without application of mind,” another teacher alleged.

Pressure on students

Some teams selected for the State round returned from the zonal competitions only on Friday and had to leave for Shivamogga by that evening. “Do the officials understand the pressure and tension high school students go through?” another teacher asked.

A teacher pointed out that some States, including neighbouring Kerala, prepare well for the national-level competition. They inform schools and students of the theme well in advance and complete the schedule on time, so that teams representing the State at the zonal and national levels have ample time to prepare and compete strongly.

Venue controversy

The planning lapses extended to the venue as well. Officers of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Shivamogga, initially chose a hall run by a non-governmental organisation for staging the plays, even though the city has auditoriums suited for drama. The hall lacked essential facilities such as lighting, screens and a sound system. Teachers and theatre enthusiasts in the city raised the issue with the officers concerned.

Krishnamurthy, principal of DIET, Shivamogga, told The Hindu that the venue has now been shifted to Shivamogga Rangayana. “Earlier, we had chosen a place considering the accommodation facility. However, after suggestions from theatre persons, we reviewed our decision and decided to hold the competitions at Shivamogga Rangayana,” he said.