Students make recommendations to ERC
Kaieteur News
June 23, 2004

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The Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC’s) drive to sensitize, educate, and create an awareness of its presence is gaining momentum. Yesterday marks three days since this process began at Wakenaam and Leguan in Region Three and at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast in Region 2.

Yesterday, working through the Education Ministry, more than 100 students of the Anna Regina Multilateral School and about 300 from the Abram Zuil School were lectured to about the ERC’s history and how it is working with their input to destroy all avenues of racism and racial tension at the grass roots.

In turn, the students were allowed a chance to make recommendations and clear up any misconceptions about the Commission.

“If we address this issue properly and effectively Guyana could easily become one people, in one nation with one common destiny”, said Commissioner Norman McLean. Among the welcomed statements from the Commission in the person of Women’s representative Cheryl Sampson was that racism is a learnt behaviour.

After presentations from commissioners, questions and recommendations were many but they all led back to religion, which according to Commissioner Shahabudeen Mc Doom, is not divisive but is used craftily by some to create division.

“You can change this,” he said.

Recommendations from the floor included the re-introduction of prayer in schools either at the level where young people from each religion are allowed to say a prayer during assembly or observe a moment of silence allowing for everyone to speak to their God.

Prayer is out of the question at the Anna Regina School that has 900 plus on its register.

One student posited that implementation of racial harmony lectures and interaction as part of the school system would be a great idea.

Another said that there is need for the formation of youth groups that make allowance for young people from the various religions to interact in an organized environment allowing for socializing and understanding of religions.

The singing of national songs to encourage patriotism, unity and oneness for nationhood and national development was another recommendation.

According to one youth, “It creates a spirit of nationalism.” One statement by a female student that sparked much applause was that “it is the adults that encourage discrimination… I encourage young people, while respecting the older generation, to think for themselves and see that we are not living in the past…”

There was one call for the introduction of English Literature as a compulsory subject at all levels of schooling to encourage a better understanding of all cultures.

One teacher posited that there is need for people to follow the path of Nelson Mandela to purge ones self. That teacher recommended that “There should be the Truth Commission to help this process.”

The group also paid courtesy call on the Region Three’s Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) Vice Chairman, Samaroo, and Deputy Regional Education Officer (REO), Deonarine.

They both posited that race relations could be controversial but interesting for students.

They reported that in that region while there were a few cases of reports of ethnic related matters, according to them they were publicity stunts.

The Ethnic Relations Commission today will be back in Essequibo addressing various issues and forums. During August, there is a plan to stage a series of film festivals.