MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, has assured that the government is committed to supporting drama and other types of arts.
She gave this assurance on Thursday at the launching of the Ministry of Education’s Sixth National Secondary School Drama Festival at the National Cultural Centre.

In declaring the festival open, the minister noted the administration’s support towards the restoration of the Theatre Guild and additionally contributions by the private sector and other organisations.

Dr. Fox said this is also evident in the keen interest shown by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

“Our culture is presented positively to the world…we will be hosting the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta X)…you can see why an event like the National School Drama competition is so important to boosting our cultural heritage in Guyana,” she pointed out.

“…this is because it teaches you leadership, discipline, punctuality, literacy, patience, honesty, fostering of ideas, life skills and creativity,” Fox noted.

“It functions as the medium for the strengthening and well-being of the nation,” she attested.

“This year has two additional incentives for your performances which I am sure would have motivated and pushed you to the limit,” the minister said.

The minister revealed that some of the groups will be selected to join the official Carifesta X contingent representing Guyana and additionally participants will also be selected to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Secondary School Drama Festival which will be hosted here in November.

“I am aware that all of you came here…to do your very best while maintaining the high standards both in content and the level of performance,” she noted.

Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performing, the minister defined.

She noted that drama and dramatic performances are centuries old and have always played a role in the development of society culturally at different levels.

“Presently the Ministry of Education continues to believe that performance, expression and corroboration are important life skills…it has always recognised the crucial role in drama in the school’s curriculum as a tool for education responsible to create awareness or understanding of an idea or issue,” he said.

The ministry of education needs to observe more carefully what is happening at schools with the drama curriculum, she said.

She also encouraged the commissioning and performances of plays from Guyanese writers.

She implored schools to engage the local dramatists who are well known in Guyana to perform at schools and assist in drama workshops.

“And develop the skills for students to create their own play and more importantly to share the body of knowledge that they have in drama and to share experiences with students,” she said.

Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Ms. Desiree Wyles-Ogle, said this biennial activity was initiated in 1998 and attracted a number of participants from various schools across the country.

She said that drama is one area where literacy and memory skills are enhanced and encourage cooperation as a team.

The activity is a three-day exercise and concludes tomorrow. Aurora Secondary, Sophia Special School, Berbice Educational Institute, St. Joseph High, Anna Regina Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary and Mabaruma Secondary performed their respective plays yesterday.
The programme is co-coordinated by the Unit of Allied Arts.