A workshop on developing comic strips was organised by UNICEF in association with SCERT and World Comics India here today. More than 65 children and 20 teachers from across the State participated in the workshop. The two-day workshop ended on Wednesday with an exhibition by children and teachers organised in various schools campuses.
The three-day workshop trained children and teachers from various schools across the state in developing comic strips on issues affecting children and children’s rights. “I developed my comic strip about an alcoholic man who abuses his wife and daughter and how he gets transformed by intervention of a friendly neighbour” says Priyanka (Name Changed) a student of class 6 from Dantewada.
The workshop was organised in lieu of the Child Rights Convention Week organised by UNICEF from 25th November 2013 to 30th November 2013.“Ideally, schools should be democratic spaces which enable children to raise questions, discuss, debate, and also express their ideas and thoughts in an open manner. In reality, however, this is not the case. More often, children are passive learners, receiving information from the teachers.” said Sheshagiri Madhusuda, Education Specialist, UNICEF.
He adds “The medium of comics can bring about a balance in this situation. It enables children to express on paper many things that affect them. Further, the comics medium can also be explored as a powerful educational tool.”Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Bagaria of SCERT said that the workshop showcased the creativity of children and provided an avenue for children to express their thoughts where most of the times are suppressed.