Newmai News Network Imphal | May 16 A programme to revive and promote the values of folk tales kicked off today in a place in Manipur initiated by State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Government of Manipur. The 7-day workshop is being organised to revive the tradition of folktale telling and recognize the significance of the folktales. The SCERT said such a tradition is a wealth of lessons to be learnt that would help in grooming the young children to become better human beings. The workshop is being held at Nambol Higher Secondary School, Nambol in Bishnupur district which is located some 20 km south of Imphal. Speaking on the occasion, Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) of Bishnupur district, Nepram Tikendrajit Singh said that the workshop on the importance of folktales is a relevant topic to re-establish the moral lessons filling the void of moral science that was once a subject. Also speaking in the workshop, Manipur Education Minister, Thokchom Radheshyam said that telling the folktales to the students can intrigue their interest towards school. He asserted that the folktales are the treasures of moral values and lessons that need to be instilled in the young minds to enhance their conduct. Radheshyam then urged teachers participating in the workshop to tell folktales to each other during the training session so that they could imbibe themselves the art of telling stories for the sake of the students. Radheshyam then said that the workshop would help in reinstating the age-old tradition of telling stories from folktales to the children in schools, too. Teachers, he asserted, have a very important role to play in shaping the society. “Every trade that every individual practices”, he added, “is because of a teacher”. He stressed that the children are always, in one way or the other, talented but it is the teachers who should discover such innate qualities in children to make them an educated citizen. The Education minister then appealed the entire teaching fraternity to carry out their duty with interest and love and insisted that schools must be made in such a way that they attract children. He also asked the teachers to be innovative to mentor and guide the young minds to make the learning and teaching motivating which in turn will encourage the students to come to schools and attend their classes. He further asked the teachers to apply visual teaching to make learning fascinating. The first session of the workshop is being conducted by Prof. H Bihari as resource person. The inaugural programme was attended by dignitaries, principal of the school, concerned officials, teachers and students.
