Guyanese- born University of Toronto Professor Rita Persaud has donated $18M in musical and science equipment to five secondary schools and the University of Guyana. Tapping into her network in Canada where she lives, Professor Persaud was able to procure drum sets, violins, saxophones, microscopes, telescopes among other equipment. The items will be donated to Berbice High School (BHS), J.C Chandisingh secondary, Abrams Zuil Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral, Cotton Field Secondary and the University of Guyana.
In an invited comment, the Professor said the institutions reached out to her at different levels for assistance and she immediately agreed to assist. Professor Persaud said as someone who has intimate knowledge of the importance of music and science in education, she purposed to ensure she was able to deliver for the institutions. She said when she approached persons and organisations in an effort to secure the equipment they readily donated. Notwithstanding the benevolence of individuals, the scholar said she personally bought many of items and she was satisfied that she did.
According to the Professor, her satisfaction is rooted in the fact that music provides an outlet for students and it builds self-confidence. Further she explained that music also helps with self-esteem and has therapeutic benefits. With satisfaction, the Guyanese-born scholar said that she is aware that many of students will for the first time be playing the saxophone and the violin and this will serve as an avenue for brain development. With regards to the science equipment she said these will create greater interest in science and will facilitate hands-on learning.
According to Headteacher of BHS, Ms Coleen Liddell, the donation is a timely one and will now expose the students at the school to new types of musical instruments. Similar sentiments were expressed Mr. Ajay Jailall, a teacher of Abrams Zuil Secondary who collected on behalf of the Region Two schools and Mr. David Brigbmohan, Head of Department- Unit of Allied Arts at J.C Chandisingh Secondary School.
The items received are six complete seven-piece drums sets; one electronic violin; two saxophones; four clarinets; one television; 16 microscopes electronic computer interfaced, two measuring scales for laboratory; one trombone; three trumpets; six violins; one flute; one printer; two TASCO telescopes; six telescopes Celestron Astromaster (for Physics, Science, or Cosmology programme), four Chemistry kits, textbooks for the University of Guyana Library, one laptop; two computer screens and one printer.