00:00Speaking at the Ministry of Education's prize-giving ceremony for the National Schools Carnival
00:05Competitions, Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath said the Ministry is aligning the
00:10National Schools Carnival Competitions with the visual and performing arts curriculum.
00:15You may have heard that at the primary school level we have introduced a continuous assessment
00:19component.
00:21And so VAPA is an important part and so imagine my playing pan, playing tassa, singing soca,
00:29singing calypso.
00:31You can actually make SCA marks towards your final SCA performance.
00:38And so we are taking this seriously at the Ministry of Education.
00:42Dowlath also reiterated the Ministry's commitment to the holistic development of the nation's
00:48children.
00:48At the Ministry of Education, our strategic plan for the year 2025 to 2030 speaks specifically
00:56to the holistic development of our children.
00:59And it calls for a curriculum that develops not only literacy and numeracy, but also creativity,
01:06citizenship, and adaptability.
01:08And significantly within our whole school development approach, the plan recognizes student welfare
01:16and culture as an area worthy of support.
01:21We want our students to continue to be able to express themselves.
01:26We want them to develop confidence and to learn discipline and teamwork.
01:31Before the minister gave his speech, four awards were presented.
01:35First up were the primary and secondary school's panorama titles.
01:38And in winner's row were...
01:40Ladies and gentlemen, a big hand for the winner, St. Margaret Boyce Anglican.
01:45St. Margaret Boyce Anglican.
01:59Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the winner?
02:02Holy Faith Convent Penal.
02:06Holy Faith Convent Penal.
02:14And then it was time for the Junior Soka Monarch Awards.
02:18And ladies and gentlemen, our first place winner, the man to link us up this morning,
02:25Kimani Hector Kalu.
02:27St. Peter's RC Primary.
02:31St. Peter's RC Primary.
02:35Thank you, teachers.
02:38And ladies and gentlemen, secondary, first place winner, Marcus McDonnell.
02:45Presentation College, San Fernando.
02:50Can we have for the primary section for a photo?
02:55Kimani, come please.
02:57Amaya, come please.
02:58Minister Dowlath also defended the decision to hold this year's Schools Carnival events at Skinner Park and the Southern Academy
03:06for Performing Arts and lauded the response, saying there was unprecedented showing by schools and students.
03:12He closed by assuring that the ministry will continue to create opportunities for young people to participate in the arts
03:19and experience culture in meaningful ways while continuing to strengthen the connection between education and culture.
03:27Dominic Gramroop, TV6 News.
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