(Source-DPI)
The performances of the finalists in the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board’s (PTCCB) Secondary School drama competition, today, were nothing short of expressive and informative. The audience agreed that this year’s presentations rivalled past acts.
Delivering the feature address, at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder urged the students to promote the proper use of pesticides to avoid endangering human health and the environment.
Scenes from the drama competition
“Pesticides have the potential to harm the nervous system, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system and is linked to illnesses such as Cancer and Alzheimers. Therefore, it is important that as future leaders you are involved in such activities; to better understand and advocate what you have learnt,” the minister said.
He also commended the students for their participation, noting that, “everyone has a role to play” in the dissemination of information regarding the proper handling and use of pesticides.
Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder
Minister Holder said the government recognises the importance of reducing the negative impact of misuse of chemicals, hence its full support of the PTCCB drama competition. This, he said, is in keeping with the government’s ‘Green State Economy’ agenda.
The initiative undertaken by PTCCB aims to educate the public about the dangers of pesticides and the hazards they pose to human health and the environment by targetting the nation’s future leaders
Trecia David, Registrar, PTCCB highlighted that 10 Secondary Schools participated in the drama competition from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.
Minister Holder and the first place winners
The winners of the competition were Soesdyke Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, St. Cuthbert Secondary and Winifred Gaskin Memorial Secondary which received $125,000, $100,000, $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. Winifred Gaskin Memorial Secondary School also took home a trophy for their social media piece.
According to David, to date, 78 secondary schools across the country have participated in programmes undertaken by PTCCB.
