The Military-Led Academic Training (MiLAT) Programme hosted its annual Calypso Competition on February 10 at the Carnival Village, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
Curriculum Coordinator, Llewellyn Mac Intosh, highlighted that “for education to be important it should be grounded in the culture of a people.”
His statement set the tone for the Calypso Competition as it was geared towards exposing the Cadets of the programme to Trinbagonian Arts and Culture.
This year’s competition affirms the belief that the future of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival is in good hands as evidenced by 1st Place winners in the Original and Vintage Categories, Nathaniel Williams and Joshua Hinds, respectively. Williams’ composition entitled Tic Toc emphasised the importance of effective crime prevention measures while Hinds’ rendition of Come With It paid a special tribute to the Calypsonian icon, the late Black Stalin.
The Competition’s organising committee also focused on sharing this cultural art form with young people as it is the philosophy and mandate of MiLAT to broaden the skill set of the Cadets and provide an avenue for future careers in the music industry.
The MiLAT Calypso Competition also provided opportunities for graduates of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the On-the-Job Trainee (OJT) Programmes to participate in and contribute to this experiential learning process. These young persons, displayed their resourcefulness and talents as they assisted with the creation of costumes, props, stage management, photography and videography.
Since its inception in 2007, the MiLAT Programme continues to emphasise a holistic educational experience by “offering an education grounded in culture.”
The MiLAT Programme, under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service is a two year, full-time residential Academic Programme designed for young men between the ages of 16-20 years, aimed at bridging the gaps for those young adults who may wish to pursue academic disciplines as well as transform their social behaviours in a highly structured and disciplined environment.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to provide programmes and services that cater to the personal and professional needs of our youth.