Preparations moving apace for children’s mash competition - GT&T, GBTI main sponsors
The Education Ministry is working hard at pulling off a successful Children’s Mashramani competition this year which will be held under the theme “Reflecting Creativity Embracing Diversity.”
The Regional Competitions have already begun, and thus far the Region 2 contest has been completed. Regions 1, 3, 4 and 10 are scheduled to complete their round of competitions shortly.
The participants will meet in Georgetown for the finals slated for February 13 to 15 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) where participants will have a chance to compete in areas such as dance and masquerade for primary and secondary schools. On February 14, the Calypso and Dramatic Poetry competition will be held, Choir Presentation ‘Salute to Guyana’ on February 15 and on February 16 the much anticipated Costume Parade.
According to National Coordinator of Allied Arts, Desiree Wyles-Ogle, thus far preparations are moving apace, and from all reports, the regional activities are going quite well.
Mrs Desiree Wyles-Ogle , National Coordinator of Allied Arts
Mrs. Ogle mentioned that this year the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company will be sponsoring the Costume Parade which will commence at Parade Ground. The company has donated $3.6M to the Education Ministry for the event which will be utilised for prizes and snacks for the participants.
Also on board is the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) which is investing about $500,000 for trophies, especially in the regions where its branches exist, including in Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9.
Wyles-Ogle explained that the parade has various categories: nursery primary and secondary, children’s organisation, and regional bands, and there is also a special category for individuals. “If you have a child who wants to participate but his/her school is not participating all you have to do is get a costume for that child and enter them into the parade,” she said.
Additionally, there will also be an essay competition for school children and young people who have completed school. This competition will be held under the theme, “The role of youth in nation building” and will have two categories of entrants, junior 18 years and below, and seniors 18 years and above. All entries for must be submitted to the Mash Secretariat no later than February 15. Winners will receive prize monies and gift certificates among others.
The ministry also introduced a new category of “Hip-Hop” into the dance competition, encouraging the males to get involved. Special prizes will be given for this category.
While these annual competitions are being held in observance of Guyana’s 43rd Republic Anniversary, they aid in the promotion of expressive arts and aesthetic education in the school system which, as a result, make students well rounded.
The competition also gives students the opportunity to display their talents, acquire knowledge, skills and values in their art, build creativity and confidence and develops discipline and team work.
For schools to gain admission into the NCC they must make bookings because of the limited number of seats. Students are also advised to check with their respective schools to uplift their tickets. Tickets for children are $100 and adults $200.