THE Ministry of Education is intensifying its efforts to integrate music education into the national school system, aiming to foster more well-rounded students through a holistic learning approach.

This initiative falls under the Ministry’s broader “Five Priorities” strategy, introduced by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, which also includes physical education, technical and vocational education, foreign languages, and volunteerism.

Joel Gonsalves, Education Officer with responsibility for music, explained that the initiative is already transforming how music is taught in schools across Guyana.

“Our aim is that at the end of five years, students should have been exposed to, if not all, most of the elements within the Five Priorities—making them more rounded individuals. It’s a more holistic approach to education,” Gonsalves said.

As part of the music education rollout, trained music coaches have been assigned to schools nationwide. These coaches are helping students explore a range of instruments including the guitar, recorder, keyboard, and steel pan, while also supporting the formation and development of school choirs.

The Ministry has also invested in instrument provision and infrastructure upgrades, including the recent establishment of a fully equipped music room at the West Demerara Secondary School. Many other schools are now being equipped with the resources needed to offer the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) music syllabus, an area that is seeing growing interest.

“We’ve already seen an increase in schools wanting to do the music exam. We are furnishing schools with recording and other technical equipment required for CXC,” Gonsalves added.

Beyond the classroom, the Ministry supports after-school music programmes including school-based steel bands and marching bands. There are currently eight marching bands operating across the country, along with a combined national marching band that performs at major events, including the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships.

In its continued commitment to music development, the Ministry donates three new steel bands each year to schools and institutions. One such donation was recently made to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to enhance teacher training and development in the arts.

Another key programme is the Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp, now in its 14th edition. A joint effort between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Republic Bank, the camp offers children across various regions the opportunity to learn steel pan and basic music theory.

Gonsalves emphasised the broader value of music in a child’s development, “Music, to me, is much more than an art form. It is a powerful tool for education, cultural preservation, and personal expression. It brings balance to the young mind. Every child must be exposed to some level of music.”

With these ongoing initiatives, the Ministry of Education continues to reshape the national curriculum, ensuring that music education becomes a lasting and essential component of student development in Guyana.