Context & objectives
In 2021 and 2022, The Red Pencil offered art-based capacity building and trainings to school teachers in India, as part of a 2-year programme to support children and youth mental health during the Covid 19 pandemic. The trainings were delivered online to teachers in Bangalore (2021 et 2022) and Jammu & Kashmir (2022) and involved both primary and secondary school teachers.
In Bangalore The Red Pencil partnered with Parikrma Humanity Foundation, which provides education to more than 1,800, marginalized children. In Jammu and Kashmir, our partners were Kaivalya Education Foundation and Piramal Foundation, which implement innovative programmes to improve the quality of education.
The Covid pandemic significantly impacted children in India, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. School closures and a shift to online learning created educational inequalities, and many children faced trauma from losing loved ones. Socio-economic hardships worsened, leading to increased domestic violence and neglect. Upon reopening, teachers faced challenges as students returned with varied learning levels and struggled with classroom routines. Primary school children, in particular, had difficulty socializing and engaging.
The purpose of the trainings were:
In Bangalore :
- Equip staff with knowledge of mental health and trauma care through the use of art therapy tools and techniques which can be used to support the children
- To develop teachers’ self care & coping skills through art therapy
In Jammu & Kashmir
- To provide teachers with knowledge and experience about arts-based tools within the frame of Social and Emotional Learning.
- To develop teachers’ self care & coping skills through art therapy
The Red Pencil offered teachers 30 hours of online training and 10 hours of coaching to ensure sustainable application of classroom techniques. The coaching sessions reinforced learning by providing additional explanations, exercises, and hands-on practice with the children. Teachers could directly apply the tools in their classrooms and receive feedback, addressing any questions or challenges with the art therapists to strengthen their skills and confidence in implementing the techniques effectively.
At the end of the ACBTs, teachers also received a handout developed within the project by the Red Pencil. The handout summarizes theory and practice learnt during the training and makes the project’s results sustainable. Furthermore, teachers created peer support groups in each school to further support the use of art-based tools in the four schools participating.
Impact
The mission provided the 220 teachers with theoretical knowledge on Mental Health and Trauma care and Social Emotional Learning development through the use of artsbased tools and techniques which can be used to support the children under their care. It also equipped the teachers with arts-based self-care and coping tools and techniques for themselves. The teachers were able to learn from each other on the application of the arts-based tools in the classroom, including their use for personal wellbeing. It also helped in creating new relationships among the teachers, as well as between the teachers and their students.
Below we report some of the results of the participants’ self-evaluation of the impact that the training had on their skills and knowledge
Bangalore (2021)
“We were asked to use paint for a particular session. I hate to use paint as it is messy and messy paint is like conflict for me. I always run away from conflict but that day I explored with paint and was determined that I should not run away but start negotiate and try to resolve conflict. (A.,Teacher, Bangalore) “
Read Princy’s Story of change.
Jammu and Kashmir (2022)
« I have started using puppets and masks with mystudents to discuss various topics. I also have created an arts corner in my classroom. I notice that the students are much more interactive now and even the shy ones are participating who never did before. After introducing these methods I realise the impact of such work, I am feeling motivated to do more » (C.,Teacher, Jammu and Kashmir)
« The arts-based capacity building and training has changed me a lot as a person and as a teacher. It helped me to reduce my stress and anxiety and to build a stronger relationship with my students » (T, Teacher, Jammu and Kashmir)
Read Riya’s Story of change :
Partners
Our gratitude goes to partners Parikrma Humanity Foundation, Kaivalya Education Foundation and Piramal Foundation and donor Sofina COVID Solidarity Fund.
