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| File: GISL photo |
Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said Tuesday the government of Trinidad & Tiobnago is committed to pan in the classroom.
He made the point to the Express newspaper in response to a charge by Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz who told reporters Tuesday pan in the classroom is under threat of being removed.
Gopeesingh refuted the claims and noted that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has endorsed the idea of pan in schools, which was introduced under her tenure as Education Minister. It won't be changed, he said
In a statement published in the website of the Government Information Services Ltd (GISL) Gopeesingh said, "The Ministry of Education has always stood in respect and support of the Pan In the Classroom Programme."
He made the point to the Express newspaper in response to a charge by Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz who told reporters Tuesday pan in the classroom is under threat of being removed.
Gopeesingh refuted the claims and noted that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has endorsed the idea of pan in schools, which was introduced under her tenure as Education Minister. It won't be changed, he said
In a statement published in the website of the Government Information Services Ltd (GISL) Gopeesingh said, "The Ministry of Education has always stood in respect and support of the Pan In the Classroom Programme."
He added, "Ever since taking office in 2010, this Administration has displayed and maintained its commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, at every level of our social life – from Education to Culture, and beyond.
"It’s for that reason - plus all of the goodness this indigenous cultural learning opportunity brings to our young citizens in classrooms across the country - we reaffirm our retention of the Pan in the Classroom initiative, and indeed plan to learn from and widen its impact.
"Our esteemed Prime Minister the Honourable Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared the official position of the Peoples Partnership Government at the opening of the Marabella South Secondary School on Wednesday 10th May 2012 when she told the gathering, and the wider Nation, most emphatically: “Pan is here to stay! The programme has never stopped, it will never stop, and it will continue in schools across Trinidad and Tobago.”
"The Ministry of Education wishes to reiterate its commitment to increase exposure of the Nation’s children to a more varied curriculum. Schools will be given the choice of string, percussion and wind musical instruments, such as steel pan ensemble, dholak, harmonium, table, tassa drum set, xylophone, guitar, cuatro, African drum set, and non-melodic percussion instruments.
"Schools will be also supplied with an appropriate number of the chosen instruments relevant to class instruction and in accordance with the technical advice of Curriculum Officers or other designated agents of the Ministry.
"The present Curriculum will be adapted to allow for effective use of these diverse instruments of choice, as well as the seamless transition of Primary School students to the Secondary School Music Education Programme.
"Current teaching staff in Primary Schools, with the required competencies, will deliver the current and adapted Music Curriculum; Music Instructors will be contracted where there is a shortage of the desired competencies.
"The current Pan in the Classroom Unit will be increased to effect expansion of the Music Education Programme in Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. At present, 99 primary schools and 99 secondary schools are enrolled in the programme.
"Additionally, the Ministry of Education wishes to reiterate its commitment to meet with stakeholders. The Minister of Education, Dr the Honourable Tim Gopeesingh has already agree to meet with executive members of Trinbago, however a date has not been formally scheduled due to heavy commitments of previous engagements."
"Our esteemed Prime Minister the Honourable Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared the official position of the Peoples Partnership Government at the opening of the Marabella South Secondary School on Wednesday 10th May 2012 when she told the gathering, and the wider Nation, most emphatically: “Pan is here to stay! The programme has never stopped, it will never stop, and it will continue in schools across Trinidad and Tobago.”
"The Ministry of Education wishes to reiterate its commitment to increase exposure of the Nation’s children to a more varied curriculum. Schools will be given the choice of string, percussion and wind musical instruments, such as steel pan ensemble, dholak, harmonium, table, tassa drum set, xylophone, guitar, cuatro, African drum set, and non-melodic percussion instruments.
"Schools will be also supplied with an appropriate number of the chosen instruments relevant to class instruction and in accordance with the technical advice of Curriculum Officers or other designated agents of the Ministry.
"The present Curriculum will be adapted to allow for effective use of these diverse instruments of choice, as well as the seamless transition of Primary School students to the Secondary School Music Education Programme.
"Current teaching staff in Primary Schools, with the required competencies, will deliver the current and adapted Music Curriculum; Music Instructors will be contracted where there is a shortage of the desired competencies.
"The current Pan in the Classroom Unit will be increased to effect expansion of the Music Education Programme in Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. At present, 99 primary schools and 99 secondary schools are enrolled in the programme.
"Additionally, the Ministry of Education wishes to reiterate its commitment to meet with stakeholders. The Minister of Education, Dr the Honourable Tim Gopeesingh has already agree to meet with executive members of Trinbago, however a date has not been formally scheduled due to heavy commitments of previous engagements."
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