Teaching at Sir Alba Tutoring and Arts Academy: Investigating Theatre of the Oppressed as a teaching approach to After Care Centre Classrooms in Etwatwa Township in Johannesburg

Abstract

After care centre has become alternative spaces where teaching and learning happens, parents enroll their children in these centre not only to keep their children safe but they have become spaces where supplementary learning happens. Covid-19 has affected education and its systems, schools are still in a ‘catching up’ phases, the schools and teachers are in need of assistance in terms of teaching and learning and making education more interactive and experiential to the learners. Alternative teaching approaches are in high demand. This study’s primary aim is to investigate to investigate the use of Theatre of the Oppressed as a teaching approach to various topics covered in an after care tutoring centre and to answer how Theatre of the Oppressed can be used as a teaching approach to various topics covered in an after care tutoring centre and school curriculum. This study uses a Practice as Research design. In this Practice as Research there where Theatre of the Oppressed workshops conducted. The data was collected through these research instruments: picture and videos were recorded and notes were documented through journaling. Some of the findings are; tutors explored self expression through image Theatre and engaged in discourse during and after forum theatre however tutors still need thorough training in an application of Theatre of the Oppressed. This study adds to knowledge development, practice and advocacy by liberating teaching and learning spaces. This study shows the value of expressive learning and how applied drama and theatre can be a useful mediator to decaying South African education system to promote quality, effective and give learners agency of their own learning and develop responsible citizens.