VIJAYAWADA: The Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum and the Bapu Museum at Vijayawada will soon offer museum education for schoolchildren.
As part of the project, interactive sessions and creative workshops will be organised at the museums for the students of various schools across the State on a regular basis.
At present, the Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum is being transformed into a civic space for 56 government and 20 private schools in Amaravati mandal. The educational policy of museums in Andhra Pradesh is based on UNESCO’s mission to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. The project is aimed at enhancing science skills among students and strengthen their bond with science and societies.
Earlier, the Department of Archaeology and Museums conducted few workshops like ‘Painting the monuments’, ‘Writing about the historic places’ and quiz competitions on archaeology remains, on a trial basis. From the next month, the department is coming up with more projects to educate students on museums.
“Museums are knowledge centres and alternative learning environments, which got a valuable set of resources and raise heritage consciousness among the citizens. Every museum would have a large number students rather than any other sector. So, in order to benefit the students, boost their academic potential and improve their creativity, we have to come up with museum education. Museum educational activities are based on scientific standards and social engagement in multi-cultural and multi-generational societies,” explained KSB Kesava, Deputy Director (Museums), Andhra Pradesh.
Museum education is completely a cost-free project, as it is a partnership-based programme between Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum, and teachers through mandal education office.
“With the practice of museum education, the students can develop heritage consciousness and pride in their own heritage and local histories. We are transforming Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum into a learning organisation. Most activities are collaborative and participatory, with workshops based on dialogue-based educational programmes with the involvement of teachers. In a while, we will conduct programmes on Buddhism and feminism at museums,” said Amareswar Galla, International Heritage Adviser of AP.
“Teachers have allotted their time to foster this engagement where the differences between classroom-based education and museum-grounded education are differentiated and used for complementary learning opportunities for students,” he added.