The Role of Drama in Education in Developing 21st Century Skills: A Theoretical Study Centered on the Sri Lankan School Context

21ஆம் நூற்றாண்டுத் திறன்களை வளர்த்தெடுப்பதில் கல்வியியல் நாடகத்தின் பங்கு: இலங்கைப் பாடசாலைச் சூழலை மையப்படுத்திய ஒரு தத்துவார்த்த ஆய்வு

Abstract

In the context of modern globalization, this article explores the contribution of Drama in Education (DiE) in fostering 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills among students. As the contemporary exam-centered education system tends to stifle the natural personality development of students, Drama in Education is proposed as an alternative, grounded in the theories of Constructivism and the Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this study examines various dramatic techniques through the conceptual frameworks of Brian Way, Augusto Boal, and Paulo Freire. Specifically, it discusses student identity formation and the creation of a ‘safe space’ for learning through Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Furthermore, the paper explains in detail how bringing folk ritual performances, such as Madurai Veeran, into the classroom can raise awareness among students regarding social hierarchies and social justice.
The findings of the study confirm that educational drama techniques—such as role-play, freeze-frames, and teacher-in-role—not only enhance students’ self-confidence but also transform them into socially responsible citizens. Finally, the study recommends the necessity of integrating Drama in Education as a teaching philosophy within the curriculum to meet the challenges of 21st-century Education 4.0.