Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Harry Husbands, believes there is ample evidence that schools with rigorous music programmes perform better in virtually every aspect of education.

He was addressing a workshop for secondary students into the finals of the Schools??? Music Festival 2015, at the Prince Cave Hall today.

???This music festival and the teaching of music in primary and secondary schools is an important and core aspect of the educational system,??? Mr. Husbands said.

He noted that there were still challenges, including the absence of dedicated music programmes at some schools, particularly at the primary level.

Pointing out that the Ministry was working to address these challenges, he said music, as a core element in any educational system, helped students with Mathematics, expression and use of language.

Senator Husbands added that it was also important in communities, particularly impoverished ones, where it served to highlight persons??? experiences and developed young lives.

Students were told that the recent enactment of legislation promoting the cultural industries would play a major role in the development of music, musicians and those in the arts, offering up careers in these areas.

The secondary students were therefore told to pay attention to this legislation and the incentives it allowed.???I want to encourage you to look at this talent and skill that you have ??? not just as something on the side, by the way, but to look at it as a possible career,??? the Parliamentary Secretary stated.

A second workshop targeting primary school students will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at the Prince Cave Hall, Station Hill, St. Michael, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The developmental workshop is a precursor to the School???s Music Festival, scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. The event is a collaborative effort between the Ministry and Partners That Care International, a charitable entity.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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