Bold strokes: Gujarat’s art teachers seek 5% of new jobs

Reacting to the government’s announcement that it would hire 27,400 teachers by December, Kala Shikshak Sangh, the state-wide body of art teachers has demanded that at least 5% of the new recruits be from within its ranks.

“The government’s decision to recruit new teachers is a good one, in the interest of education. However, subjects like art have fallen by the wayside in recent times,” the Sangh said in a statement.

The government holds “big events like the Kala Mahakumbh and Kala Mahotsav”, it said, adding, “but there are no art teachers in primary and secondary schools in the villages.”

The body alleges that only children from self-financed schools in urban centres have enough privilege to participate, and win prizes, in events like the Kala Mahakumbha and Kala Mohotsav due to a lack of guidance.

“There are art teachers who have been unemployed for almost two decades. We have been urging the government to rectify this situation for the past 15 years,” it said. 

Not just art, Gujarat’s government-run schools have not recruited music or yoga teachers since 2012, with the focus ostensibly turning more towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

However, there is a case to be made for the inclusion of the arts alongside STEM subjects.

An education in art, especially drawing and fine art, enhances visual and spatial skills, which are essential in fields like engineering, architecture, and computer science. Understanding proportions, symmetry, and spatial relationships helps in visualizing and designing complex structures and systems.

Integrating art with STEM fosters creativity and innovation, which are critical for problem-solving and advancing technology. Artistic skills encourage students to think outside the box, leading to novel approaches in scientific and technical fields.

Art education supports emotional and cognitive development, providing a balanced education that nurtures both analytical and emotional intelligence. This balance helps students develop a well-rounded perspective and better interpersonal skills.

While the focus on STEM is good, the Kala Shikshak Sangh's call for 5% of new teacher recruits to be art educators highlights the critical need to reintegrate arts education into Gujarat's schools.