Children Mash competitions in full swing
Some students doing a dance piece at the National Cultural Centre last year
Some students doing a dance piece at the National Cultural Centre last year

THE Children’s Mashramani programme under the watchful eyes of the Education Ministry is in full swing as competitions in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and 3(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have started. 

This year’s competition is being held under the theme: “One People, One Culture, One Celebration.”
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Drama Coordinator at the Allied Arts Unit, Lorraine Barker-King, explained that all activities have been planned and are ready to be executed. She related that all regions except for Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) will be participating in competitions at their levels and then on to the final competitions slated for February 12 to 14 in Georgetown.

Students during the Children’s Costume Parade last year
Students during the Children’s Costume Parade last year

“There are no issues that we have encountered about financing of any project; I know that the regions would assist with their regional competitions and then we will provide accommodation and meals for Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 when they come to Georgetown to participate,” she said.
According to Barker-King, a new addition to this year’s children’s costume parade will be students being placed at different parts of the road to perform gymnastics during the parade. “Students from South Ruimveldt Secondary, Lodge Secondary and North Georgetown Secondary schools will be placed at three different points on the route for the float parade and will be entertaining patrons with gymnastics,” she said.
It was explained also that there will be no choir presentations done during the Mashramani activities as it was decided to have these competitions done during Education Month slated for September. The drama coordinator also related that they have not secured a sponsor for the float parade as yet, but letters of request have been already dispatched and the department is now awaiting positive responses.
The Children’s Mashramani activities officially became the responsibility of the Ministry of Education in February 1992 and the Unit of Allied Arts within the ministry was tasked with implementing programmes to showcase the talents of Guyanese children. The competitions are held at the regional and national levels for primary and secondary schools. Children at the nursery level also participate in some of the activities, but only at the regional level.
The Children’s Costume Parade was introduced in 1996; this parade wraps up the series of activities and involves approximately 4000 plus children from schools and youth groups throughout Guyana. It is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Education, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

 

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