The Ministry of Education recently ruled that a six-year-old student could not compete in a Mashramani Calypso competition because the lyrics of the song she sang did not follow the rules for songs appropriate for her age group. The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has publicly denounced this decision.
In a recent press release by the WPA, they noted, “This explanation by the government insults the intelligence of Guyanese. Since when children are disqualified from engaging in social and political commentary? Which part of the constitution bars schoolchildren from singing songs that comment on topical issues? If children are permitted to sing songs which are considered “jam and wine”, why are they banned from singing songs with serious lyrics?”.
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The group questioned if the government could declare what kind of harm, if any, singing a calypso like that may do to the youngster in issue and other kids.“ Finally, if the calypso violated the “guidelines, why it was not disqualified during the preliminary stages of the competition—why now?”
The WPA claims that the government’s disapproval of the lyrics, which criticize the nation’s exorbitant cost of living and the government’s paltry 6.5 percent pay rise for public employees, is evident to the party. “Such lyrics are a staple of the calypso art-form and fall within the category of calypso which serves as forms of socio-political rebuke. This is nothing short of government censorship that is reminiscent of the colonial era when calypsos were deemed subversive and banned by the authorities. Such action by a post-independence government is inconsistent with the values of independence and freedom. Censorship of art and culture is a tried and tested tactic of authoritarian government and governance. All calypsonians and artists must take stock of this development and raise their voices in protest,” the WPA noted.
“The government’s action is an attack on creative expression, a sacred right of all Guyanese. It is also a frontal attack on an art-form that is central to African Guyanese, Guyanese and Caribbean cultural expression—calypso is the mother-music of the Anglophone Caribbean. This action reeks of cultural insensitivity from a party and government which have been found guilty of ethno-cultural discrimination. WPA says to the government-Get of the back of calypso. There was calypso before the PPP and the art-form will never surrender to government domination. Finally, WPA sees the government’s action as an attack on children. What message are we sending to children when they are told by the government that they are free to sing lewd songs but prohibited from singing songs with uplifting lyrics? The government does not seem to care that it may have crushed the spirit of a child and in the process dragged her into unwanted controversy. This is nothing short of callousness on the government’s part. We have again sunk to a new low in Guyana—this time a child is the sacrificial lamb,” The statement ended.
The National Children’s Mash Competition rejected six-year-old Ezeka Minty from Fort Ordinance Primary School in Berbice for a calypso song she sung that was critical of the government’s 6.5% wage raise, according to a recent report. The title of Minty’s tune was “Tell me how a guh survive with six point five”.
“I have a burning issue on my chest, ah can’t even rest, how cost of living and everything doubling, this thing troubling, how a must carry on with a seemingly one arm. Tell me how a guh survive with 6.5”, are cited lyrics from the song.
Minty’s song challenged the government’s 6.5 percent salary raise for public officials, which led the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to accuse it of being vengeful after she was disqualified from the competition.
“Imagine our caring Ministry of Education disenfranchised this Little Angel from competing at the National Competition because they deemed this song to be POLITICAL. Imagine all the work that had to be put in by the teachers, parents, and child to master this song” ” on its Facebook page, the GTU posted.
In response, the Ministry of Education stated that the song violated a competition regulation and was inappropriate for the child’s age. “The Allied Arts Unit emphasizes that decisions made are based on established rules that have been in place for many years, specifically focusing on the appropriateness of items about age groups”, the group stated.
They continue to note, “Two items were rejected,” the unit added, stating that “the respective schools were duly advised with transparent communication on the reasons behind the decisions.” “The focus is on ensuring that the content presented aligns with the age appropriateness stipulated by the rules set well in advance of the competition.”
“It is crucial to highlight that the intention is not to censor satirical content but to maintain age-appropriate standards and teaching commences with rules in line with the longstanding principles upheld by individuals associated with the competition,” the department that reports to the Ministry of Education stated. During Wednesday’s protests, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald denounced the government’s conduct. “Where were the rules all the time?” McDonald stated, adding, “The government is proud about its 6.5 so why can’t our children sing about the 6.5?”
