Students perform during the opening of School Theatre Festival by the Ministry of Education at Abdul Aziz bin Nasser Theatre. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr Ibrhaim Saleh Al Nuaimi opened yesterday the second School Theatre Festival at Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre at Souq Waqif.
The festival is hosting drama shows by schools students on different issues like nationalism, awareness, heritage and morality. The festival will continue until January 23 at Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre, after that it will move to Theatre of the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association in Umm Sennim from January 26 to 28.
The opening ceremony was attended by Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Fawzia Al Khater; Head of Educational Guidance, Moza Al Madhahka, and prominent artists, educationists, parents, and students.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr Ibrhaim Saleh Al Nuaimi said that the second edition of the festival is very special because of the diversity of theatrical performances.
He also said that the festival includes various theatrical performances on nationalism, awareness, heritage and moralities, which reveal the capabilities, talents and energy of students in theatrical activities and performances.
“Valuable prizes will be distributed to the winning artists for best acting and team performance at the closing ceremony on January 23,” said Al Nuaimi, adding that the supervisors and participating schools will be also honoured.
Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Fawzia Al Khater said that that extracurricular activity, such as theatre, instil artistic, educational, and patriotic values in the students.
She said that theatre plays a great role in building students personality, honing their skills, developing their faculties and capabilities.
She also explained that school theatre has a variety of benefits, aside from the fact that it gives additional satisfaction to the student.
“It is considered a way to relieve psychological pressures, enhance self-confidence and treat speech problems, along with the development of patience and endurance, and the development of interest in art” .
She noted that the theatrical activities have a positive relationship with academic achievement, as they contribute to breaking the atmosphere of boredom, monotony and making the school an attractive environment for students.
Addressing the event, Head of Educational Guidance, Moza Al Madhahka urged school administrations to support theatrical activity and to establish the arts as an effective educational and teaching tool.
