North Georgetown Primary now 5th ERC Harmony Club

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Friday completed its fifth Harmony Club with a launch at North Georgetown Primary School, Woolford Avenue, as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Education to establish Harmony Clubs across primary schools in Georgetown under the
Commission’s pilot programme.
The initiative is designed to strengthen cultural and religious awareness among young learners, promote tolerance and appreciation for diversity, and counter stereotypes from an early age. These objectives align directly with the ERC’s constitutional mandate to promote harmony, good relations, and understanding among Guyana’s ethnic groups.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission at the launch, Commissioner Reverend Rodwell Porter underscored the importance of nurturing respect and understanding in the formative years.
“The Harmony Club teaches our children that even though Guyana is made up of many different cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds, we can live, learn, and grow together. I grew up learning how harmful stereotypes can be, and I want this new generation to embrace the truth that our diversity is a strength. When children share, learn, and understand one another, they help build the harmony we want to see in every school, every community, and eventually all across Guyana,” he said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Jonell Waldron, Literacy Officer, highlighted the positive values the Harmony Club cultivates in students.
“The Harmony Club is not just another activity; it is a space where children learn kindness, respect, and unity. Here, pupils discover why people may look different, speak differently, or celebrate different traditions, and they learn to value those differences. When our children understand one another, they become the true stars of harmony in their classrooms and in our country,” she posited while expressing appreciation to the Commission for its leadership in piloting the initiative.
“I want to sincerely thank the Ethnic Relations Commission for introducing the Harmony Club to our schools. This initiative gives our children the chance to learn about each other in meaningful ways and to build the values of respect, empathy, and togetherness. We are grateful for the ERC’s continued partnership and for creating opportunities that help our learners grow into well-rounded, harmonious citizens.”
Headmistress of North Georgetown Primary, Donette Liverpool, expressed her school’s appreciation for being chosen as part of the pilot programme. She shared that the school has put systems in place to ensure the long-term sustainability of the club.
“It is an honour to collaborate with the ERC on establishing this Harmony Club. We have developed a sustainability plan to ensure its continued success, with six teachers from Grades One to Six designated to coordinate the club’s activities. The Club promotes a simple yet powerful idea: that even though we come from different backgrounds, we can live, learn, play, and work together as one. I am hopeful that this initiative will foster unity, tolerance, and social cohesion among our pupils, staff, parents, and the wider school community. We are truly delighted to be selected by the ERC as pioneers of the Harmony Club.”
According to the ERC, Harmony Clubs are intended to provide safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where young pupils explore and appreciate the rich diversity of Guyana’s ethnic, cultural, and religious landscape. Through guided activities, storytelling, cultural exchanges, and interactive learning sessions, students are encouraged to embrace differences, value shared experiences, and develop the interpersonal skills needed for peaceful coexistence.
The five Georgetown schools participating in the ERC’s Pilot Programme will help shape the model used for national rollout. Lessons learnt from the pilot will inform the development of structured modules, coordinated student activities, and long-term engagement frameworks to support expansion into other regions.
The latest launch follows the establishment of Harmony Clubs at Stella Maris, St Gabriel’s, Comenius, and St Ambrose Primary Schools, respectively.
The ERC extended its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Education, school administrators, teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations, and students for their enthusiastic support.
The launch at North Georgetown Primary marks another significant step in the Commission’s efforts to nurture a more respectful, understanding, and harmonious society, it added.