Development Through Drama

Development Through Drama is a programme that uses drama as a tool to teach students life-skills such as social interaction, communication, expression, creativity and thinking.

A pilot programme, Development Through Drama started in late January 1999 at Mayflower Primary School, and in July 1999 at St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. In 2000, the programme continued for a second year at Mayflower Primary School, with 3 new schools – Yio Chu Kang Primary, East View Secondary, and Cedar Girls’ Secondary – coming on board, as well as Boy’s Town Singapore. 2001 sees us continuing the programme at the same schools as the previous year except Yio Chu Kang Primary and Boys’ Town. 

The programme takes place during curriculum time and lasts for three terms to a whole year and is conducted by actor-facilitators employed by the company.  In some schools, the programme forms part of the English language syllabus and the students’ assessment forms part of their exam grade.

The Branch has also conducted a documentation and evaluation process of the pilot programme at Mayflower Primary and has produced a report entitled, Development Through Drama – Towards Providing A Holistic Education in Singapore Schools.