Republic Bank lauded for investing in Music Literacy

Jul 27, 2015 News

Even as the Ministry of Education moves ahead with the re-introduction of music in schools, Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is lauding efforts made by Republic Bank Limited (RBL) in the implementation of a music literacy programme.
Last Thursday, Dr Roopnarine attended an award ceremony hosted by RBL for children who participated in the Republic Bank’s Right Start Music Literacy: Pan Minors Programme.
During his feature address, the Education Minister noted that the young people, who have benefited from the programme, are not merely learning a musical skill, but they have started a process that would see them becoming part of the living symbol of nation and region’s history.
“Republic Bank deserves recognition and applause for its role in supporting this Pan Music Literacy Programme in itself, as well as part of its wide commitment to the re-development of steel pan music in Guyana,” he said, adding that this is a very important investment in creative education, especially since creative industries account for billions of dollars in this part of the hemisphere.

(Fourth from left in the top row) Minister of Education, Dr, Rupert Roopnaraine with representatives of RBL and the Early Start awardees.

Roopnarine noted that while the bank’s investment in this area of education may be a supplementary to the human resource development for the regional economy, it is his hope that RBL and other financial institutions would further invest in the creative industries.
Dr. Roopnaraine also took the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to setting up, consolidating and replicating such efforts, not just in music, but in all of arts education. He believes that this is a model that can be replicated by other corporate partners.
As such, he urged the RBL and other corporate partners to turn their attention to the Theatre Guild, a vital national resource that must not be neglected.
“Books are for the mind; music is for the soul. The aim of education must be the education of the whole child,” the Minister said.