Dear Editor,
Please allow me to express my alarm and disgust at an ugly matter brewing at the National School of Dance. Editor, if at all possible, please use a photo of some of our lovely young dancers to remind readers of the talent which resides at this illustrious institution and of the national pride we feel about our esteemed institution.
The National School of Dance (NSD), a cherished institution and a source of national pride for Guyana for nearly five decades, is facing an existential threat due to the neglect and alleged corruption by the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Culture. Reports from insiders paint a damning picture of mismanagement, nepotism, and racial discrimination within the ministry’s handling of the school.
The NSD has been a cornerstone of Guyana’s cultural and artistic expression since its founding in 1974 and the management of the school by the renowned American-Haitian dancer Lavinia Williams. Her vision was to create a structured environment where young Guyanese could learn and express themselves through various dance forms. The school’s inception was closely tied to the cultural renaissance that accompanied Guyana’s independence in 1966, during which time many cultural institutions were established to foster national pride and unity.
Over the years, the NSD has grown to become one of the most celebrated cultural institutions in the country. Under the leadership of notable figures such as Linda Griffith, the school has produced numerous accomplished dancers and choreographers who have represented Guyana on both regional and international stages. Griffith, who has been associated with the NSD for over 40 years, has contributed significantly to the school’s development, ensuring that it remains a beacon of cultural excellence in Guyana.
However, despite its storied history and contributions to the arts, the NSD faces challenges in the form of funding and support. The need for resources to maintain and develop dance programs is critical, as is the support from government and private sectors to ensure the school’s sustainability and growth.
According to an anonymous source, “the minister’s wife is integrally involved in ‘running the show’ at the NSD, so much so that she often picks who dances at events.” Editor, I wonder what exactly are the minister’s wife’s credentials that qualifies her to influence such decisions. This insider claims that there is also a deliberate effort to replace the esteemed NSD with a private dance school owned by a close associate of high-ranking ministry officials. The insider added, “The National School of Dance is going to the dogs, and they want to bring in private dance schools to push out the NSD.”
Further allegations suggest a disturbing pattern of color preference in the selection process for dancers with a noticeable bias towards light-skinned and straight-haired dancers. One insider stated, “The colorism is rampant at the dance school since the Ministry has inserted cronies into the operations of the esteemed institution.”
The situation reached a boiling point last Friday when the minister allegedly called a meeting with NSD members. According to an insider, the minister bluntly stated that “without them, the show will go on and the ministry will make an internal decision on what will be done with the NSD.” This statement has been perceived as a clear indication of the ministry’s intention to dismantle the NSD in favor of a private institution, thereby erasing a vital part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Culture must answer for these allegations and take immediate steps to preserve the integrity and legacy of the National School of Dance. The people of Guyana deserve transparency and commitment to cultural preservation, not the covert dismantling of their cherished institutions for personal gain.
Concerned Parent