MoE Blazes Trail with Staging of Anansi

January 29, 2025– The Ministry of Education has once again raised the bar for literary and cultural engagement in schools with the highly anticipated staging of Anansi at the National Cultural Centre.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry, this thrilling production by GEM’s Theatre Production, brings to life the legendary trickster of Caribbean folklore, blending humour, wit, and valuable life lessons in a way that captivates both students and educators alike.

From the moment the curtains opened, Anansi proved to be an electrifying experience. The first day of performances saw the National Cultural Centre filled to capacity, with eager students from secondary schools across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Ten and Georgetown packing the venue. laughter, gasps, and applause echoed through the
National Cultural Centre as the mischievous Anansi weaved his way through a series of adventures, outsmarting larger and more powerful foes with his quick thinking and clever tricks.

Anansi, the cunning spider, is a central figure in Caribbean and West African folklore.

His stories, which originated in Ghana and were carried to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans, have been told for generations as a means of entertainment, education, and moral guidance. These tales celebrate intelligence over strength and teach valuable lessons about resourcefulness, resilience, and the consequences of one’s actions.

Now part of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC®) English Literature syllabus, it is an essential literary work that students are required to study.

The Ministry of Education’s decision to stage this production is a bold and innovative move to help students engage with the text beyond the pages of a book. By seeing Anansi’s adventures unfold on stage, students gain a deeper understanding of the narrative, themes, and cultural significance of these timeless tales.

Educator at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Ingrid Richards- Fung, stated that the ministry has long recognized the power of theatre in education.

Literature is often seen as challenging or intimidating for students, but live productions like these allow them to
experience the story in a dynamic and relatable way.

This approach has already yielded positive result. In 2024, a similar initiative contributed to an increase in the English Literature pass rate at CSEC.

Mrs Fung solidly commended Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand for this initiative.

Minister Manickchand envisions bringing literature education to life for students
preparing for their examinations, with the goal of sparking greater interest in the subject
and helping more students excel.

Over the next two days, secondary school students from across the country will have the
chance to experience the play firsthand. To ensure even wider access, the Ministry of
Education has arranged for the production to be recorded and uploaded to its social
media platforms, allowing students, educators, and the public to view the performance.