As the holistic development of a learner includes allowing them to actively participate in extra curriculum activities which include music and sport, the Eastern Cape Department of Education has followed suit, as the second week of June saw 26 primary schools unleashing the learners' talent in the provincial schools choral in Eisteddfod.
Despite the cold rain, these choirs from the seven mega districts braved the chilly East London weather to ensure they secure their spot and scoop in the provincial trophies.
Although there were known champions who are known for their talent in various categories, in this year's competition new ones surface and changed the winning streaks of these known champions. One of the previous champs, ET Thabane Senior Primary School from the Ukhahlamba district came third this year due to the tough competition.
This schools which boast with six year's winning record only managed to obtain third place in schools intermediate phase through singing the Afrikaans song, "My hartjie, My liefde", conducted by Kholisile Binza.
The 35 year old father of four with his winning streak believes this year's competition was tougher than the previous years.
"With my 12 years of experience, I've never seen a touch competition like this. Competitions in their very own nature are energy draining because as choir conductors we have to visit strong district to learn the new tricks and copy the best practices but this year it has not yielded the best results but at least we have secured a third place," said Binza.
He deemed the third place means more work needs to be done on time to ensure that, "all the learners are ready to deliver the quality product".
Binza also accepted that competitions include winning and trailing.
"At least in my eight years with the schools I've managed to reach my milestone which was competing in the last year's national championships.
Next year I will try and get the syllabus on time and commit more time on practicing, that should bring back the glory to our school," he added.
The Eastern Cape Choral Music Coordinator, Kuthala Ngoma praised the primary schools for their best performance.
"I'm grateful of the quality of work displayed by the teachers through their choirs. This means teachers have dedicated themselves towards these choirs," said Ngoma.
Ngoma encouraged the losers of the competition to mobilise and rearrange their tactics.
"Music is about affording these learners an opportunity to showcase their talent not winning, therefore we encourage those schools that have not succeeded to take this as a challenge in their strategy," urged Ngoma.
She reiterated that the programme help to nurture these learners in various ways like discipline while also instilling moral values.
"I thank the teachers for ensuring that this hall is packed as it is. All those who have participated in this competition have made this programme a success and we thank and appreciate their efforts," concluded Ngoma.
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
14 June 2010
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecdoe.gov.za/)
