Mobile Museum spotlights Grenadian history and heritage

by Curlan Campbell 

• Mobile Museum launched at St George’s Anglican Senior School
• Expected to foster greater sense of patriotism among students
• Aligns with Ministry of Education’s agenda in reforming education curriculum

The chronology of Grenada’s History and heritage is on full display like never before, as the Mobile Museum spotlighted Grenada’s history ahead of the nation’s 50th anniversary of Independence under the theme “One people, one future, one journey.”

An initiative of the Jubilee Secretariat team, the Mobile Museum is a carefully curated exhibition that brings the museum to the nation’s children as part of an educational outreach programme that allows for a thorough examination of Grenadian history and heritage pre and post-independence period. The Mobile Museum will be installed in schools across the tri-island state. Students from selected schools who attended the launch held at the St George’s Anglican Senior School on Wednesday, 29 November, witnessed history in the making as they were the first to view the mobile museum.

During the launch, Principal of the St George’s Anglican Senior School Nigel DeGale revealed some interesting historical facts about the institution chosen to launch the Mobile Museum. “Welcome to the St George’s underground senior school, Hindsey School. The primary school of Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, who was jailed in Trinidad for fighting for workers’ rights, like Mandela on an island for about 7 years. We remember Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, who was a student right here,” DeGale said.

“We also remember architects of the Revolution like Bernard Coard. Of course, we remember doctors like Beverly Nelson, Dr Marryshow, and others. And, of course, many of the outstanding sports people and politicians like Peter David, from right down to [me] Nigel DeGale. This school is a school of history. Because of the Anglican Church, the education of poor people and slaves began in around 1823, and the Anglican school in St George’s was a place where youngsters were taught, and it became Hindsey School later on. So this is the first institution of learning in Grenada,” he continued.

Gail Purcell, Director of the Jubilee Secretariat, indicated the Mobile Museum is expected to foster a greater sense of patriotism among students. “Our aim through this initiative is to nurture knowledgeable, engaged and prideful citizens,” Purcell said. “Those are big words. But we want you, our young people who are our future, to have the knowledge of where you came from. We want you to be engaged in that history. We want you to learn that history and we want you to live it. I want you to exemplify pride when you talk, and you think about our history.”

Purcell explained that there are other components to this project, including the staging of an Inter-School Exhibition and Competition and a podcast series. The Inter-School Exhibition competition will allow students to research specific themes and create an exhibition related to Grenada’s history and heritage. This project, funded by the Jubilee Secretariat team, sees each participating school receiving $500 to help fund the curating of the exhibition. “The competition will culminate with a public display and showcase of all the various displays. And regardless of which school places [at] the top, we want this competition to be an opportunity for students to feel proud of their collaboration and creativity as they represent your respective institutions,” she said.

Purcell encouraged students to share what they learned from the Mobile Museum with other students and their parents. “Students, you are encouraged to read and learn from the facts and narratives and share them. Don’t just keep the information to yourself… it’s an opportunity for you to take what you learn and share it with others, because that’s how you reinforce your own learning. Then you spread the learning, and that’s part of the leadership role that you’re going to be playing as you grow older. So the museums will move around from school to school in a rotation schedule, that we will work along with the Ministry of Education, while it sets the stage for the museum’s future expansion.”

The final component of this project will introduce students to podcasting, where they will create a series of podcasts, made available to the public on topics relating to Grenadian history, culture, and heritage. 

Deputy Chief Education Officer for School Administration Kathy-Ann James endorsed the initiative, which aligns with the Ministry of Education’s agenda in reforming the education curriculum. “In endorsing the Mobile Museum, the ministry aligns itself with a vision of which resonates deeply with a commitment to holistic education. As we strive to mould global citizens, this initiative becomes a beacon illuminating not only pages of our past, but also lighting the way for generations to come. The launch of the Mobile Museum holds great significance due to its seamless alignment with the Ministry of Education’s curriculum reform. In recent times, the ministry has implemented key curricular initiatives, including the reintroduction of Spanish in our primary schools, the expansion of technical vocational education training in primary schools and the introduction of Grenadian history at the upper primary and secondary school. We are in line. These changes are designed to offer students more meaningful, relevant learning experiences enhancing the holistic capacity to thrive as global citizens.” 

The Mobile Museum is part of the National Celebrations Committee’s goal to meaningfully engage the nation’s youthful population, laying the foundation towards creating future custodians of Grenada’s rich cultural heritage.