Elementary lessons in playing steel pan will be introduced into the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport annual youth camps this year and will also be used as a means of spotting talented pan players to maintain youth interest in the art form.

According to a release from the ministry, this new component seeks to attract youths between the ages of 10-18, especially secondary school participants.

They will be exposed to the theoretical basics of playing pan as well as practical sessions of actually playing pan.

The programme is being launched with sponsorship from Republic Bank (Guyana) and is themed the ‘Republic Bank Right Start Pan Minors Programme’.

It is expected to begin today in Regions 1, 4, 6 and 10.  The annual youth camp is held over the July-August school vacation.