What about theatre education ?

What about the teaching of theatre in Belgium ? Of its place in the education of our children ? And what is it with our British neighbors ? In Belgium, theatre and the learning of the performing arts is an extra-curricular activity that children can follow after their classes. There are quite a few schools where an introduction to the dramatic art is organized and takes place in the timetable of the highs, but even-there, it is a non-obligatory option for the children and the teenagers, who can favour another activity. If our young people really want to get involved in the performing arts, they can take courses in art and theatre schools, but these institutions only welcome students from the age of 18.

In England, however, a somewhat more important place is devoted to the theatre in the education of the children. In fact, the learning of the dramatic arts begins from the primaries, but always after the lessons. The theater is therefore also an extra-curricular activity, but it is given by the teachers of the school. At the higher level, there are university studies in theatre. These studies are obviously intended for students who have completed highschool.

So what about these comparisons? Would you be for a learning of the performing arts in the school curricula? Many are the benefits of the theatre on the children. So, why not start from the youngest age?