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While on the one hand, the theme: Stop AIDS! Keep the promise! Challenges Governments’ commitment to ensure that the necessary machinery is in place to promote behavior change; in an effort to prevent the spread of the HIV infection and to make support, treatment and care; accessible and available to persons who are living with HIV/ AIDS; the theme also challenges individuals from all levels of the society to actively unite in reversing and halting the spread of the infection.
It is common knowledge that our young persons are critical to this process of halting and reversing the tide of the epidemic, against this backdrop it is therefore, of extreme importance that they participate fully in plans aimed at addressing the HIV epidemic. This will facilitate reinforcement and to build a clearer understanding of their roles.
It is with this in mind that a special committee, which comprised of representatives from Primary Schools, the Education Department and The National AIDS Program, planned the first Annual National HIV/AIDS Primary School Song and Poster Competitions.
The main objectives of these activities, which targeted grades 5 and 6 for the song competition and grades 2- 4 for the poster competition, were to:
- Encourage an all inclusive community approach, in support of the theme chosen for World AIDS Day, 2006
- Foster more involvement from the primary schools to research information on HIV/AIDS, while at the same time developing and/ or strengthening their creative skills, when putting together their compositions and when expressing their thoughts through their illustrations.
Entries for the Poster competition were submitted by the Ona Glinton, (Grand Turk), Mary Robinson (Salt Cay), New Age Academy, Oseta Jolly, Precious Treasures. (Providenciales).
Digicel Phone Company sponsored the song competition jointly; in his brief remarks Mr. Jay Saunders complimented the students and teachers for their interest in the event.
Approximately 66 students participated from five (5) schools in the finals of the song competition, which was held at the Community Fellowship Center, Providenciales. The participating schools were Precious Treasures (Providenciales), Oseta Jolly (Providenciales), Ona – Glinton (Grand Turk), Enid Capron (Providenciales) and Ianthe Pratt (Providenciales).
The criteria for judging the songs were based on duration, relevance to the theme, musicianship, coordination, instrumentation, tone quality, presentation, clarity, creativity, crowd response and originality.
The songs, were original in lyrics and melody and were presented in the form of Reggae, Soca, Rhythm and Blues and Rap and reflected the theme “Community Action and Support: Stop AIDS! Keep the promise!”
The students made a good account of themselves as they presented their pieces; accompanied by their respective music teachers.
After much deliberation, the head judge Mr. Benjamin Noel, in affirming the positions for the competition; commended the National AIDS Program, the participating schools, the teachers, students and parents for a worthwhile activity, which has the potential forfurther development.Precious Treasures Primary School was declared the winner, they received the winning trophy and $500.00 cash prize, and second position went to Oseta Jolly who received $300. 00 cash prize, while Ona Glinton, Enid Capron and Ianthe Pratt earned third, fourth and fifth positions receiving cash prizes of $125.00 each
All participating students and their teachers received tokens for their efforts in making the competition a success.
In conclusion, on behalf of the National AIDS Program and by extension the Ministry of Health, the parents, teachers and students who worked hard to make this activity a reality, should be congratulated.
We are well aware, that our children have the most to lose if we don’t deliver; to this end we promise and will keep the promise to support these competitions as permanent fixtures on our Annual World AIDS Day Calendar.
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