As we celebrate Teacher’s Day today on September 5, our focus often centres on classroom teachers who spend their days within the walls of their classrooms. However, today, we shine a spotlight on another vital group of educators: dance teachers. Unlike their classroom counterparts, dance teachers are constantly on the move, dedicating themselves to nurturing talent and instilling a love for dance in their students. Despite their relentless efforts, dance teachers often don’t receive the recognition they truly deserve.
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INCENTIVES FOR DANCE AND ARTS EDUCATION
In Maharashtra, students who have studied classical dance, drama, and singing for at least five years from a government-approved institution and passed five exams in these arts are awarded 15 marks by the state education board. Those who pass three exams receive 10 marks, and winners of national and state-level tournaments or scholarships in these arts are given a total of 25 marks. This policy underscores the value of these disciplines and encourages students to excel in the arts.
THE IMPACT OF DANCE EDUCATION
Sunil Kumar Prabhakaran, Programme Director of Major City and organizer of Vidhyaiva Sarvadhanam — which honours teachers from Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad across around 80 schools every year — emphasises the crucial role of dance teachers in fostering a balanced education.
“Schools should promote the arts, including dance, to create a balanced learning environment. This approach helps students who may struggle academically feel valued and engaged, providing additional reasons to attend school. A well-rounded education that includes both academic and extracurricular pursuits can significantly enrich students’ learning experiences.”
INTEGRATING DANCE INTO THE CURRICULUM
Jennifer Browne, IB Diploma Coordinator & Drama Teacher at Stonehill International School, Bangalore, underscores the importance of integrating dance into the curriculum: “The International Baccalaureate (IB) views the Arts as equally important as other subjects. During the Middle Years Programme, students explore Drama, Music, and Art, choosing one as their focus from grade 9 onwards. At Stonehill, we incorporate movement as part of the Drama course and encourage students to explore physical theatre and movement. We also celebrate our host culture with performances of Indian dances, from classical to Bollywood, during special events.”
THE INSPIRING PATH OF DANCE TEACHERS
Browne, who studied Theatre at Guildford School of Acting in the UK, adds: “Dance teachers, often perceived as strict, push their students because they believe in their potential and take joy in their progress. Witnessing a student master a dance routine and perform with passion is deeply rewarding. Recently, I saw a poignant IB Diploma performance that conveyed a romantic journey through movement alone, highlighting how dance uniquely captures and communicates profound human experiences.”
ENSURING RECOGNITION AND RESOURCES
Ensuring that dance education receives recognition and resources alongside other subjects involves several strategic steps.
Dr. Swati Mukherjee, Vice Chairperson of Saviors Foundation and Founder of Unskooler Education, Mumbai, explains, “Dance education should be supported through advocacy and awareness, inclusion in the curriculum, professional development for teachers, and resource allocation. Performance opportunities and community engagement also play crucial roles in positioning dance as an essential component of a well-rounded education.”
ADDRESSING UNIQUE CHALLENGES
Addressing the unique challenges faced by dance teachers is crucial. Dr Mukherjee suggests, “Schools can support dance teachers by aligning their roles with academic teachers, providing a supportive work environment, and offering professional development. Recognition through awards and incorporating dance into broader school culture are also important. Ensuring physical and mental health support, involving dance teachers in decision-making, and engaging the community can help create an environment where dance teachers feel valued.”
DANCE CLASSES BOOST EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
According to Khusbu Gupta, parent of a Class 5 student, since their child started learning dance at school, they have observed a remarkable change in behaviour. The dance classes have provided a positive outlet for their child’s emotions and significantly helped in managing anger more effectively. Khusbu is truly grateful for how this has improved both their child’s well-being and the family’s harmony.
A DAY IN A DANCE TEACHER’S LIFE
It was heartening to see Priyanka Shinde, a dance teacher from CP Goenka School, Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, receive the Best Teacher Award at Vidhyaiva Sarvadhanam. In its 10th year, this was the first time a school had nominated an activity teacher for the award, underscoring the growing appreciation for the vital role dance teachers play in education.
Priyanka shares insights into her demanding role: “A typical day for me involves preparing for school, teaching several periods, and managing additional responsibilities such as taking proxy classes. The physical demands of teaching dance are significant, and while we don’t handle notebook corrections like academic teachers, our workload is equally challenging.”
Despite these challenges, Priyanka remains motivated by her passion for dance: “My background in BEIT might seem unrelated, but teaching dance is my true passion. It gives me the strength to face each day, especially when supported by a great team.”
HONOURING ALL EDUCATORS
As we honour our teachers today, let us also recognise and support the dance teachers who contribute so profoundly to students’ holistic development. Their dedication and passion deserve the same level of acknowledgment and respect as their classroom counterparts.