To

The Hon'ble Minister for General Education,

Government of Kerala,

Thiruvananthapuram – 695001,

Kerala, India.

 

Subject: Request for Inclusion of Drama and Dance Professionals as Specialist Teachers in Kerala’s School Education System

 

Respected Sir/Madam,

 

We write this letter on behalf of a collective of theatre and dance professionals who have completed higher education in these fields from recognized universities across india. We sincerely appreciate the commendable steps taken by the Department of Education to enhance Art Education by integrating Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Drama, and Cinema into the SCERT syllabus. The release of new textbooks for Classes 5, 7, and 9—and the upcoming textbooks for Classes 6, 8, and 10—is a visionary step that will no doubt have a lasting impact on holistic student development.

 

However, we wish to bring to your attention a critical gap that still exists: although Drama and Dance are now part of the curriculum, there are currently no posts or recruitment provisions for trained professionals in these subjects. Existing Specialist Teacher positions in schools are restricted to Drawing and Music, and recent recruitment notifications and temporary appointments have once again excluded qualified Dance and Theatre graduates.

 

This is disheartening for hundreds of passionate, academically trained artists in Kerala who have completed diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate courses in Theatre and Dance. These individuals possess not only professional expertise but also a deep understanding of how these art forms contribute to personal growth, emotional intelligence, creativity, and cultural literacy among students.

 

We respectfully urge the government to:

 

Formally create and include Specialist Teacher posts for Drama and Dance across schools that implement the SCERT curriculum.

 

Recruit qualified professionals through the Public Service Commission (PSC) with proper KTET and academic eligibility criteria.

 

Update the Kerala Education Rules (KER), if necessary, to accommodate these new specialist roles.

 

Ensure parity in employment opportunity, recognizing Theatre and Dance educators alongside Drawing and Music teachers.

 

Consult experienced faculty currently teaching Theatre and Dance in universities and institutions across the state to shape this framework effectively.

 

 

We believe the inclusion of Theatre and Dance educators is not merely a request—it is a right. The government’s effort to lead art education reform must ensure equal opportunity for all art forms and the artists who have devoted themselves to teaching and community development.

 

We, along with students and fellow educators, are prepared to engage in constructive dialogue and offer our full support in shaping this transition. We also request a meeting at your earliest convenience to present detailed suggestions and explore the way forward.

 

Thank you for your time and commitment to educational excellence in Kerala.

 

Yours sincerely,