The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), has expanded its national Harmony Clubs initiative with the launch of three new clubs at Yarrowkabra Primary School in Region Four and Christianburg and Mackenzie Primary Schools in Region Ten on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The launches represent another step in the Commission’s efforts to nurture mutual respect, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among young Guyanese.
The launch activities brought together ERC representatives, students, teachers and school administrators to reinforce the importance of embracing differences, resolving disagreements peacefully and building positive relationships from an early age.
The ERC delegation comprised Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, Commissioners Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), Ashton Simon, Pandit Krishn Sharma, Mrs. Chandrowtie Sarran, and Chief Executive Officer (ag) Oma Devi-Sukhu. The delegation was divided between the launches, with the Chairman, Commissioner Simon and Pandit Sharma attending the Yarrowkabra Primary School launch, while Commissioners Khafra and Sarran participated in the activities at Christianburg and Mackenzie Primary Schools, respectively.
Addressing pupils at Yarrowkabra Primary School, Chairman Shaikh Hack emphasised that, while Guyanese may differ in their religious beliefs and cultural practices, cooperation and mutual respect are essential to national unity.
“We all have similarities and differences in religion and culture, but at the end of the day, we must work together and cooperate as Guyanese. Our message to you is to take the values of love, tolerance and respect for other cultures and religions beyond the walls of Yarrowkabra Primary School and carry them into your homes and communities,” the Chairman said.
His message underscored the central purpose of the Harmony Clubs: ensuring that the lessons pupils learn at school influence how they treat others in their families, neighbourhoods and wider communities. By encouraging children to appreciate both the differences and shared values among Guyanese, the initiative seeks to lay the foundation for stronger relationships and a more inclusive society.
At the Yarrowkabra launch, Commissioner Ashton Simon also engaged the pupils through a story about perseverance, drawing an analogy from the animal kingdom to illustrate the importance of persistence when confronted with challenges. His interaction encouraged the children to remain
determined, learn from difficulties and recognise that achieving worthwhile goals often requires patience and continued effort.
Headteacher of Yarrowkabra Primary, Ms. Odetta McCurchin, welcomed the ERC delegation and encouraged pupils to respect one another, celebrate cultural differences and cooperate in creating a harmonious school environment. She thanked the ERC for the initiative, noting its timeliness to the community and pledged to ensure that the Club remains active and beneficial to the children.
At the launches in Region Ten, Commissioner Deon Dick (Ras Khafra) explained the ERC’s constitutional mandate and composition, helping pupils understand the Commission’s role in fostering good relations among ethnic groups, promoting equality of opportunity and addressing ethnic discrimination.
He emphasised that the work of promoting harmony requires the participation of everyone, including children, who can influence their peers and help create respectful environments in their classrooms and communities. The Commissioner remarked that by learning to understand and appreciate one another from an early age, pupils can become positive examples to their families and friends.
Commissioner Chandrowtie Sarran highlighted the importance of establishing Harmony Clubs as a practical means of nurturing tolerance, empathy and peaceful interaction among students. She emphasised that these values must be practised consistently, not simply discussed during school activities, and encouraged pupils to carry the lessons of the clubs into their daily lives.
Headmistress of Christianburg Primary School, Ms. Yolanda Lancaster, and Ms. Lotoya Gishard, senior mistress of Mackenzie Primary School endorsed the initiative, recognising its value in strengthening positive relationships among pupils and complementing the Ministry of Education’s ongoing anti-bullying efforts.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Social Welfare Officer Ms. Grace London expressed appreciation to the ERC for its continued efforts to establish Harmony Clubs in schools across Guyana. She recognised the value of the initiative in promoting tolerance, mutual respect and positive relationships among students. Ms. London encouraged the pupils to take ownership of their respective clubs and serve as change makers and ambassadors of peace, carrying the values and lessons learnt into their classrooms, homes and wider communities.
The Harmony Clubs provide a structured, interactive environment in which pupils can explore diversity, develop empathy, appreciate different backgrounds and learn constructive ways to manage disagreements. These lessons are particularly important in helping children recognise the harm caused by bullying, prejudice and exclusion, while encouraging kindness, cooperation and respect for others.
The Harmony Clubs initiative forms part of the ERC’s broader public education efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen relations among Guyana’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities. Through its partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Commission is working to introduce these values into school environments, where children can develop attitudes and behaviours that support a more respectful society.
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With the addition of Yarrowkabra, Christianburg and Mackenzie Primary Schools, the initiative now reaches 15 schools across six administrative regions, building on the pilot phase launched in Georgetown in late 2025.
The programme began at Stella Maris, St. Gabriel’s, Comenius, St. Ambrose and North Georgetown Primary Schools in Region Four. During 2026, it expanded to Mahdia and Micobie Primary in Region Eight; Kamarang Primary in Region Seven; Kuru Kururu Primary in Region Four; Port Kaituma Primary in Region One; and Wales and Vreed-en-Hoop Primary in Region Three.
The latest launches in Regions Four and Ten further strengthen the Commission’s efforts to extend the initiative to more schools and communities across Guyana.
The ERC recognises that the promotion of harmony requires sustained engagement among schools, families, communities and public institutions. By equipping children with the values and skills to appreciate differences, resist prejudice and resolve conflicts peacefully, the Commission aims to empower them as ambassadors of tolerance and understanding.
