Picture this. A rendition of a musical that narrates the theory of relativity, chemistry formulas being recited through poetry, rigorous physical exercise or sports that details the human anatomy and its functions, the notes of music simplifying mathematics or a community project that enlightens the concept of rainwater harvesting. Experts have always believed that if teaching could be more than mere textbooks and the blackboard, then it results in successful learning.

Educators in many schools in the city have realised the importance of collaborations in education that has gradually led them to involve the creative arts while teaching mainstream subjects.

According to General Arjun Ray of the Indus International School, as educators the realisation that arts cannot be alienated from education has dawned. And while it is not yet largely present in education, several schools have taken the initiative to incorporate creativity into teaching. While it does make learning the regular subjects more fun, it also reinforces understanding of an issue or topic, added Priya Krishnan, Head School Systems for Sujaya Foundation that emphasises creativity in learning.

“When the two are tied together, it inculcates an application-based knowledge acquisition that is most essential for the child. As educators, we can’t assume that children today will learn the way we did years ago. The need today is to innovate and take the traditional curriculum and merge it with out-of-the-box thinking and learning. A correlation between academics and creativity,” added Ms Krishnan.

“Who knew years ago that the jobs that are available today would even exist but just as it does now, children have to be prepared for jobs that will exist in the future and a stereotypical education system that focuses just on reading, writing and arithmetic or knowledge about physics, chemistry and mathematics, will not get them far. Along with, and maybe more than, an intelligent quotient, spiritual, emotional and aesthetic quotient is essential,” stated Gen. Ray.

For Anne Warrior, the founder-principal of Mallya Aditi International School (MAIS), different intelligence has to be developed in different ways. She added, “By involving the arts, it gives the child an opportunity to learn the best way they can. More activities can enhance the learning several-fold. A comprehensive education is extremely important to prepare them to live and work in the world of tomorrow.”