A lack of space and facilities are hindering many primary schools from qualifying for the Ministry of Education's Pan in the Classroom programme and other arts initiatives proposed in the ministry's revised primary school curriculum. The announcement was made yesterday by Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh during his feature address at the launch of the National Junior Panorama at Diego Martin Boys' RC School, Church Street, Diego Martin. The school's steelband kicked off the competition with their selection of Benjai's Trini.
Gopeesingh said many schools did not have the adequate space or facilities to house the programme, denying students exposure to the music and arts education. He said for schools to qualify for the programme they must have adequate storage and practicing space to accommodate the steelpans given to them. Gopeesingh said the ministry was working closely with the Education Facility Company Limited (EFCL) to ensure all schools, both primary and secondary, had the necessary facilities for the programme in the shortest time possible. He said students who participated in the pan programme were more focused, serious, disciplined and innovative.