“Have the kids here ever studied, that they will study now? Why not? We will teach them. We will tell everyone about their right to education!” This powerful line from a street play encapsulates the mission of the youth educators from Dhaatri’s Bal Angans, who are dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
These passionate youth educators gathered in Hyderabad for a five-day training programme, focusing on harnessing theatre and creative mediums to raise awareness about children's education and rights. Under the guidance of theatre artist Nitish Kumar, educators from Panna and Ganj Basoda in Madhya Pradesh, as well as Adilabad in Telangana, collaborated to brainstorm innovative ways to engage their communities through street plays and storytelling.
The challenges these educators face are stark. Many Adivasi children are left to fend for themselves while their parents work long hours as wage labourers. Pinky, our 22-year-old educator from Nahariya village, underscored the urgent need for guidance: “When their parents go out to work, the children are often alone, without anyone to encourage them to attend school or our Bal Angans.”
The educators from Adilabad, where Bal Angans were established a few months ago, echoed these sentiments, highlighting similar educational disruptions for the children.
Migration adds another layer of complexity, as Adivasi families often have no choice but to seasonally move out of their villages to survive. Even if the kids stay back, they are usually cared for by elderly grandparents or siblings who may not be able to emphasise on the importance of education, the educators explained.
Despite these hurdles, the educators are filled with hope and determination to make a difference. “We plan on doing a series of plays in our village to raise awareness among parents and children,” educator Sapna, from Manor village in Panna, shared enthusiastically. “We also learned how effective it can be to teach lessons through creative methods like plays, stories, and games.”
For these educators, the ultimate goal is clear: “Our main aim should be to make people aware of the importance of education for a brighter future,” Pinky emphasised. A hopeful Sapna added, “My dream is that none of my children should ever be forced into labour. This can only happen through education.”
Some more pictures from the training:
