Students of the Bethel High School were enlightened about the benefits of playing a musical instrument on July 4, when the Pan Against Crime (PAC) organization donated a full steel band to the institution.{{more}}

Through an injection of funds from PetroCaribe, the PAC organization was able to create four new pan sides in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as assist three schools in acquiring additional steel pans.

The Bethel High School, which already has a thriving classical music band, was happy to receive the instruments.

Dexter Bacchus, representative from the Ministry of Education, congratulated the school on the expansion to their already impressive music programme.

While congratulating the PAC organization for its initiative, he also highlighted the beneficial effects of playing an instrument.

“Learning to play a musical instrument will make you smarter, if even just a little,” he said.

“If you want to gain an intelligence advance through music, you need to be playing a musical instrument yourself and if you don’t keep playing, you will lose those extra IQ points”.

Principal of Bethel High School Miriam Pompey echoed the sentiments of Bacchus in her address and stated that the Bethel High School seeks to develop its students both academically and holistically.

“There are many benefits to achieve when teenagers are enrolled in music programmes,” Pompey said.

“It is safe to predict that in the future, the Bethel High School will become known, not only as one of the most disciplined schools in St Vincent and the Grenadines, but also return a higher pass rate at CSEC exams”.

With the acquisition of the new steel band, Pompey is positive that her students will be a force to be reckoned with at next year’s Junior Pan Fest.

“In next year’s edition of the junior panorama, the Bethel High School will certainly be part of that competition. There is no doubt that our school’s curriculum will be richer as we continue to further the holistic development of our students,” she said.

Pompey also thanked PAC for allowing them to be beneficiaries of the programme and guaranteed that the expensive instruments would be put to use.

Since it’s inception in 2008, the PAC organization has been successful in initiating pan sides all over St Vincent and the Grenadines and will hold their fifth training programme during the summer.(BK)