Plaeto Pioneers in association with Rahul Dravid – an initiative to empower PE teachers from schools across India
Bengaluru : Plaeto Pioneers, a unique initiative to mentor, coach and educate PE teachers from across India was launched in Bangalore on Friday at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru. The programme, in association with sports icon and India cricket coach Rahul Dravid aims to empower Physical Education (PE) teachers in India with in-depth knowledge and keen understanding of children’s social and emotional development through play.
The maiden programme kickstarted with an insightful workshop on 6th and 7th January 2023, which saw enthusiastic participation of 60 PE teachers from 32 schools and 15 cities across India. The two-day event included interactive sessions with proficient child psychologists and sports psychologists, along with on-field exercises and tool kits to facilitate teachers to enhance the PE period and make it more valuable for children. Bangalore-based Plaeto, India’s first multi-play footwear brand, plans to conduct region specific workshops throughout 2023 with schools across the country.
Speaking about the initiative, Rahul Dravid, Strategic Advisor, Plaeto, said, “I strongly believe in the vision behind Plaeto Pioneers. Something that has always resonated with me is building confidence and character through play and sports. The medium, when used correctly, can be one of the most significant teachers in life. The most challenging part when it comes to school children, often, is using the time set aside for PE optimally. That’s why I am excited to partner with Plaeto to drive the revolution through play for our children’s holistic development.”
As part of the first Plaeto Pioneers workshop, Dravid conducted an engaging virtual session for PE teachers on staying motivated, learning from failures, and embracing success in the truest sense. Asian medallist and Arjuna Awardee athlete, Reeth Abraham, also conducted a valuable session on athletics, and fitness and movement for children.
Ravi Kallayil, CEO & Co-founder, Plaeto, noted, “With the Plaeto Pioneers program, our goal is to help PE teachers upskill by providing them with the confidence, skillset, knowledge, and understanding of children’s social and emotional development. A suitable structure to promote play amongst children as a lifestyle can be extremely beneficial. With this PE teacher training, in partnership with schools, the impact on children’s lives can be tremendous.”
“Play has long since served as an outlet that people use to protect their mental health. Creating this habit among kids and letting them truly explore the joy of play is crucial. The effects of a program like this can serve them long after their school years. We need to, and aim to, create a culture where PE teachers encourage play in the same way that a teacher would encourage studying for an exam. As this too, in today’s digital world, is a critical life skill.”
Muktikanth, a PE teacher from Legacy School, said “The workshop was truly among the best that I’ve attended so far, and enriching in terms of the knowledge gained on various aspects of a child’s health. It was also encouraging to know that we can make a difference in children’s lives through the concept of ‘play’. The motivational session and interaction with Dravid was definitely one of the highlights. It is wonderful to witness Plaeto’s initiative in creating a special event like this for schools and their PE teachers. I look forward to more such workshops in the future.”
Since its launch in 2020, Plaeto has conducted in-depth research to understand the link between children’s footwear, its impact on inclination towards play, and the subsequent effect on health and well-being. The mission is to provide children with a conducive environment that promotes physical activity and the joy of play in their lives. The brand’s founding team consists of erstwhile top executives from Nike, Adidas, and Apple.