Scotia donates pans to schools

For over 40 years, Scotiabank has supported the promotion of the national instrument through contributions to numerous independent/unsponsored steelbands during the Carnival season and the support of pan education amongst youth, the bank said in a media release.

Schools and community groups have benefited from donations of equipment to their pan education programmes. Febeau Government Primary and Guaico Presbyterian benefited from new pans, uniforms and other ancillary needs, while in 2022, Scotiabank’s donation to the Rotary Club of Port of Spain’s Beetham Vibrations Steel Orchestra enabled the purchase of pans, as well as the tutoring of players.

This year, the Scotiabank Foundation has pledged to continue its support of pan education for students at El Dorado East Secondary School, with the purchase of much-needed new equipment, the bank said.

Through United Way Trinidad and Tobago’s (UWTT) Building Bridges to Success Programme, the foundation has also committed to provide pans to Matura Government Primary School. A similar donation was made earlier this year to St Mary’s Mucurapo Boys’ and Girls RC Primary Schools, the bank said.

Kristen Francis, community impact manager at UWTT said in the release, “UWTT’s Building Bridges for Success Programme focuses on supporting a child’s foundational skills to improve their chances of success. We support five–seven-year-olds to improve these skills through programmes. One avenue is via the power of music and steelpan. Following the global pandemic, this investment in young children is needed now more than ever.

“Thanks to the Scotiabank Foundation’s partnership with UWTT, we were able to bring our national instrument closer to the students of Fifth Company (St Gregory’s) Anglican Primary School in 2017, St Mary’s Mucurapo Boys and Girls Roman Catholic Primary School in 2023 and now to Matura Government Primary School.”

Cindy-Lou Dannett, acting principal at Matura Government Primary School expressed her delight in the school being a recipient of new pan instruments. “We at Matura Government Primary School feel extremely privileged as UWTT and the Scotiabank Foundation persist in efforts to uplift and empower our students. Studies show that music education improves language and communication skills and promotes creativity. We look forward to having students engage in this music programme and eagerly anticipate all the joy and growth they are expected to experience” she commented.

Senior VP and managing director at Scotiabank Gayle Pazos, highlighted the bank’s continued support for pan education, especially for youth. She said, “We have a lot to be proud of here in TT and this includes our national instrument. In helping to promote our rich culture, we support initiatives that engage, entertain, and educate our youth about the steelpan to not only instill in them a passion for our history but also provide them with opportunities to occupy their spare time and realise their full potential.”