THE four week music training, which started on July 13 at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, concluded on Friday.The closing ceremony featured musical renditions, starting with the National Anthem, which was played by an auditorium filled with teachers on the flute or what is commonly known as the

recorder. Ms. Desiree Ogle, Administrator-Allied Arts and Coordinator of the workshop, in her opening remarks, said that the arts must be nurtured from childhood and music is one way in which teachers can gainfully engage their students in the classroom. She thanked the teachers for staying the course and completing the four weeks of training.
Following Ms. Ogle’s remarks, teachers were given an opportunity to offer their reflections. They expressed gratitude for the way in which the facilitator, Mr. Paul Cort, conducted the sessions, making it fun and interactive. The more than 140 teachers were exposed to sessions in silence and sound, major scales, hand classification, voice production and music curriculum planning.
The Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam, noted his satisfaction at the manner in which the teachers were able to learn to play a musical instrument in just four weeks. He explained that it is important for teachers to take this new-found enthusiasm for music into the classroom, as it is essential for the development of better pupils.
The music workshop was initiated by Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who, in his address to the teachers, said that he intends to sustain the programme as it is his ambition to see the public school system produce complete, multi-dimensional human beings. He acknowledged the role of teachers in the country’s development through the moulding of model citizens.
The Minister added that music is enrichment; students must start the school day with music as it was in years past. He reflected on his own childhood and how impacting music and sports were on his learning.
One hundred and forty-eight primary school teachers from Regions 3, 4, and Georgetown Education District, and eight Trainer of Trainers from Regions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 have participated in the workshop.
The workshop is the first of a series of sessions designed to build capacity and to equip teachers with the necessary skills to effectively deliver music programmes in primary schools.
The key objectives of the training in music are to train and maintain a cadre of primary school teachers in Music Education, to resuscitate and support singing in Primary schools, and to enrich the education process by the introduction of an artiste experience in the field of music.