Pan in the classroom –20 years ago

THE EDITOR: Our celebrated pannist Len "Boogsie" Sharpe has issued a call for the return of pan in the classroom. Some years ago a committee was established to oversee, promote, monitor and evaluate a pan programme in schools. Unfortunately, precious little was heard from or about the committee.

The recognition of the steelpan, the only musical invention to date by our country and now played in many countries, to the extent that the United Nations has recognised it with the World Steelpan Day honour, is further testimony of the tremendous effect of the pan. World recognition should be accompanied by the history of pan and duly made known.

Some 20 years ago there was the Schools Improvement Plans (SIP) funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). While it was not restricted to any subject area, many schools adopted music to enrich the curriculum.

I recall pan in the classroom in my school. That was made possible by effective planning, in anticipation of the funding which was being given at varying times and in two tranches and subject to audit.

Each school was expected to have a SIP committee to implement as necessary. My school included a voluntary legal adviser as we may have had to enter into contracts/agreements.

Meeting with a community pan organisation, we agreed to their producing the syllabus, pans and a pan tutor based on our objectives.

In one week we had that and our SIP was up and running at Grant Memorial Presbyterian School in San Fernando. We started on February 1 and competed that year in the Junior Panorama, placing 11th in the country. We were the only school outside of Port of Spain and environs and East St George education districts.

As we celebrated World Steelpan Day on Friday, I hope time was found to "Play one for the national instrument, one sweet melody, a melody to bring back memories (and appreciation) of all the wonderful things pan doing for we."

The celebration of our gift to the world coincided with our "patriotic period" – August/September."

May God bless our wonderful nation.

LENNOX SIRJUESINGH

Chaguanas