Why has our music industry not achieved mainstream status? Why are the earnings of our composers and publishers so miniscule? Simeon Sandiford, managing director of Sanch Electronix, believes there may be many valid answers to these questions, but the absence of a structured music industry is at the core of the problem. "At present, all players involved operate from an insular perspective. The result is that there has been very little penetration at global level, where it really matters," he noted.

One possible solution, he believes is Pan in Education (PIE), a unique tool, conceptualised for creating and nurturing a Caribbean music industry emanating from the classroom. "The project has been in the making for seven years and it's now in the final stages of development and ready for implementation," Sandiford noted. "Pan in Education will target students from post-primary right up to pre-university level and we have backward linkages—there's another product—PETE the Panstick, currently undergoing some additional upgrades. PETE will help introduce younger children to music using the computer," Sandiford explained.

Pan in Education contains, on compact disc, the curriculum, assessment packages and National Occupational Standard (NOS) entitled Music Producer. The PIE interface is conveniently sub-divided into two segments—Music Literacy and Entrepreneurial Development. It must be noted here The Sanch Model is completely different to the hands on approach currently utilised by the Pan In Education module used by the Ministry of Education.

"There are thirty-five curriculum modules and forty-four units in the NOS, encompassing the areas of Music, Technical English, Business, Social Studies and Technology. And Pan In Education dovetails into the new Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), now being embraced by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)," Sandiford noted.

"Another very important aspect of PIE encompasses building and commissioning of high-definition music studios and mastering suites in schools. This will ensure that all technical requirements of the practical aspect of the curriculum can be fulfilled. A prototype studio/mastering suite has already been designed, built and equipped by Sanch Electronix in Trinidad. And a new MIDI-controller with a steelpan interface, the Percussive Harmonic Instrument (PHI) is being manufactured. In addition to the acoustic steelpan, this will be designated as the preferred medium for teaching the Music Literacy component of the Pan in Education programme," Sandiford added.

Sandiford hopes in time, the initiative will ensure that commercial music products from the region meet minimum acceptable international standards. "This basic prerequisite for achieving global competitiveness is sadly lacking in the Caribbean. Additionally, building these novel quasi-commercial studios in schools will provide real opportunities for Pan in Education graduates to become gainfully employed," he said.

The aim or mission of this programme, Sandiford said, is for us to become globally competitive through sustainable cultural products. "Products like these help to diversify the Caribbean's economies, earn foreign exchange and bridge the digital divide; foster and encourage creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation and strengthen the Caribbean's foothold in the international arena," he noted.

The prime objectives of the programme are to: "Establish a globally competitive Caribbean music industry; Create an impregnable brand for Caribbean cultural products and services; Ensure that the industry becomes the leading non-energy revenue earner; Build a powerful e-Platform for educational and commercial use; Keep the industry abreast of technological advancement; Place emphasis on human capital development using ICT; Protect intellectual property vigorously through legislation and surveillance; Make the Caribbean a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity and Refocus creative youthful energy, beginning at primary level," he added.

"The whole idea is to shift away from conventional education to vocational education. That's what the world is going to – it's moving toward competency based education, not just a pass/fail system like what we've grown accustomed to... And, in this day and age, you have to keep children's attention by being innovative in your delivery. I am hoping as the program rolls out that the Ministry of Education will fully embrace the initiative and we will be able to fully get this program into schools," he said.

For more information on the Pan in Education project, log on to http://sanch.com/pan-in-education.htm.