“Harmony begins with how we treat each other” – ERC Chair at school Harmony Club launch

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has officially launched its Harmony Clubs Pilot Programme at the Stella Maris Primary School on Woolford Avenue, with approval and support from the Ministry of Education.

The launch, which took place on Wednesday in the school’s Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) room, marks the first phase of a national initiative designed to promote respect, tolerance, cooperation, and appreciation for Guyana’s ethnic diversity among the nation’s youth.
The Harmony Clubs are envisioned as safe and inclusive spaces where students can openly discuss topics related to ethnic diversity, national identity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. Through guided activities, games, cultural exchanges, and interactive sessions, students will be encouraged to appreciate similarities, celebrate differences, and work collaboratively.
The pilot programme will next be introduced at North Georgetown Secondary, Comenius Primary, St Gabriel’s Primary and St Ambrose Primary, with plans for expansion.
These schools will serve as the initial testing ground for the club’s structure, engagement activities, and student-driven initiatives. Feedback and lessons from the pilot phase will guide the national rollout of the Harmony Clubs across all regions of Guyana.
Delivering remarks at the event, ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack underscored the importance of cultivating understanding and unity from an early age. “Harmony begins with how we treat each other,” the Chairman said. “When we learn about one another’s backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, we build respect and break down the barriers that divide us. The Harmony Club gives our children a space to do exactly that – to listen, to understand, and to show kindness. If we plant these values early, they will grow into a more peaceful and united Guyana.”
Representing the Ministry of Education, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), Volika Jaikishun, reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments. “This Harmony Club represents what we want for every child in Guyana – a safe space to learn not only academic lessons but lessons of heart,” she stated. “When children learn to respect one another’s cultures, beliefs, and experiences, they become more compassionate, confident, and caring individuals. The Ministry of Education is proud to partner with the Ethnic Relations Commission in nurturing these values. Together, we are helping our children build friendships rooted in understanding, respect, and unity in the classroom, at home, and throughout our beautiful country.”
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the school, Headmistress of Stella Maris Primary, Dayvika Ghansiam, expressed gratitude for the partnership. “We at Stella Maris Primary School are proud to work in collaboration with the ERC and the Ministry of Education in launching this Harmony Club,” she said. “The Harmony Club is being established to promote a simple but powerful idea – that even though we come from different backgrounds, we can live, learn, and grow together as one. Harmony doesn’t mean we all have to be the same; it means respecting each other’s differences and finding strength in our diversity. Together, we can create a melody of unity that will echo far beyond these walls.”
The ERC expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, school administrators, teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations, and students for their enthusiasm and support. As a constitutional body mandated to promote national harmony and good relations among all ethnic groups, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every Guyanese child grows up in an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and shared national pride.