– International Day of Play underscores Gov’t push for holistic learning

THE joyful sounds of laughter, music, and steelpan filled the air at the Sattaur and Ameena Gafoor Multipurpose Auditorium at the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus yesterday, as children, teachers, and education officials came together to celebrate the International Day of Play.

Hosted by the Ministry of Education’s Office of the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery) in collaboration with UG’s Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH), the exhibition brought the spotlight to a timeless truth: play is essential to learning.

From booth displays of creative play tools to the eager energy of students exploring their environment, the event was a vibrant celebration of the value of play across all levels of learning—nursery, primary, and secondary.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Education Officer, Mr. Saddam Hussain, made it clear: play is not a break from education—it is education. “Play comes in many forms,” he said. “Playing in the rain, catching grasshoppers, playing in the mud, picking mangoes—these are all part of the learning experience.”

Hussain outlined the Ministry’s continued efforts to integrate structured and unstructured play into Guyana’s education system. At the nursery level, Play Days, introduced in 2020, have made playful learning a staple. At the primary level, students enjoy five weekly sessions during the ‘Beyond Care’ period, dedicated to recreational learning. Even at the secondary level, where traditional academics dominate, the Ministry has introduced non-academic priorities that encourage physical activity and creative expression.

Hussain further shared the Ministry’s bold plan: every school in Guyana will eventually have a tarmac for recreational activities and trained Physical Education teachers to facilitate meaningful playtime. “It’s a government commitment,” he said.

Devendra Persaud, Acting Chief Education Officer (Nursery), echoed the sentiments with passion, calling play a “fundamental necessity.” In a moving address, he stated, “Play is not a luxury. It is learning in its purest form.”
Persaud emphasised how play fosters more than joy—it encourages critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social skills, collaboration, and creativity. “Children are not just entertaining themselves in the sandbox or playground,” he explained. “They are constructing an understanding of the world.”

He also reminded attendees that play is not limited to early childhood. “Its value extends far beyond childhood, nurturing mental wellbeing and encouraging innovation throughout life.”

ACADEMIA MEETS PLAY
The significance of play is also being explored within academic circles. Dr. Michelle McBean, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, noted that UG is actively conducting research on play and its role in cognitive and emotional development.

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, reaffirmed this commitment by highlighting how “learning is play.” She said the exhibition and the day of activities would provide learners a space where play becomes an active part of the educational process.

The exhibition itself was more than an academic affair—it was a festive experience. Children delighted in steelpan renditions, performances, acrostics, and hands-on learning at booths that showcased a wide variety of play tools and activities.

For many children, it was a day to simply be children—to laugh, explore, imagine, and dream.
As the doors to the exhibition opened, it became clear that the Ministry’s message had come to life: Play is not just an activity—it is a foundation for a brighter, more holistic approach to education.
And in Guyana, that foundation is being built, one joyful game at a time.