The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) today launched its fourth Harmony Club Pilot at St. Ambrose Primary School, further strengthening the Commission’s ongoing efforts, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to introduce the clubs at primary schools across Georgetown to begin with.
This launch follows the recent establishment of Harmony Clubs at Stella Maris, St. Gabriel’s, and Comenius Primary Schools, demonstrating the ERC’s continuing commitment, in alignment with its mandate, to promote peace, understanding, tolerance, and heightened cultural and religious awareness among young learners.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission, ERC Commissioner Reverend Rodwell Porter, himself a past student of St. Ambrose Primary, highlighted the importance of fostering respectful relationships among people of different backgrounds. “Harmony begins with understanding, and understanding begins with education. In a country as beautifully diverse as Guyana, it is important that our children learn about all the cultures, races, and religions that surround them. That is why establishing these Harmony Clubs are so vital, they create opportunities for learning, for respect, and for the kind of tolerance that allows us to live peacefully with one another” He said while encouraging the students to practice the same openness and understanding learnt from the clubs, not only with their classmates but in their homes and communities as well.
District Education Officer (Georgetown), Ms. Wendy Johnson, representing the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the Harmony Club’s objectives align strongly with her Ministry’s mission. “The Harmony Club is formed to enhance unity, love and peace. All of those teachings are aligned with the education being provided by the Ministry,” she said, while extending her appreciation to the ERC for its ongoing partnership in developing these clubs in schools.
St. Ambrose Senior Mistress (ag), Ms. Mariska Williams, expressed gratitude for the initiative and its value to the school community. “Today’s launching means a lot to us at St. Ambrose Primary School because promoting harmony means coexisting peacefully with others through cooperation, respect and balance. Promoting harmony is nothing strange to the school system because the children have knowledge about the ethnic groups, their way of life and contributions to Guyana,” she noted. She further added that having an established club structure will create more opportunities for meaningful engagement and learning that celebrate diversity.
Harmony Clubs are intended to offer a safe, supportive and engaging environment where young pupils can learn about the diverse cultures, religions, and ethnic groups that shape Guyana. Through guided activities, games, cultural exchanges and interactive sessions, students will be encouraged to appreciate shared values, embrace differences, and work collaboratively towards peaceful coexistence.
The schools participating in the ERC’s Pilot Programme will help establish the foundation for club operations, engagement modules, and student-led initiatives. Feedback and outcomes from this phase will inform the design and expansion of the programme to include schools across all regions of Guyana.
The ERC extends its appreciation to the Ministry of Education, school administrators, teachers, Parent Teacher Associations, and students for their continued support and enthusiasm for this initiative, which advances the shared goal of promoting peaceful and respectful coexistence across Guyana.
