Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom- Republic Bank and Pennacool.com host 3rd VCCE Arts and Cultural Concert 2026

Port of Spain, Trinidad, March 24, 2026: Republic Bank, in partnership with Pennacool.com Caribbean Limited, hosted their 3rd annual VCCE Arts and Cultural Concert at Queen’s Hall, St. Anns on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The event attracted over 600 attendees, including primary school students, teachers and parents from across Trinidad and Tobago.

The core principles of Values, Character and Citizenship Education (VCCE) were highlighted throughout the concert, and the cultural components of Social Studies were imaginatively integrated to create an educational, unique and stimulating learning experience.

Values, Character and Citizenship Education (VCCE) play a critical role in shaping responsible, competent, and well-rounded citizens. Initiatives such as the VCCE Arts and Cultural Concert provide students with a unique opportunity to witness and experience these values in action within a practical and engaging environment. The programme is built on six core pillars: Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, Trustworthiness and Caring. Each performance embodied and reflected at least one of these essential values, demonstrating to students how these principles can be practised in their daily lives and interactions with their peers and communities.

Under the theme ‘A Symphony of Culture, Creativity & Community,’ the concert further provided performers with a dynamic platform to showcase their talents and reinforced the critical importance of cultural awareness, our heritage, traditions, history and the role of VCCE in shaping well-rounded citizens.

Republic Bank’s General Manager, Legal and Corporate Services, Kimberly Erriah-Ali emphasised “Our young people are given the opportunity to grow, express themselves, and strengthen their connection to our rich cultural heritage. Through music, lyrics, dance, and creative expression, they didn’t just entertain us but have shared messages that shape character, strengthen citizenship, and celebrate who we are as a people.”

Attendees were greeted by a medley of 15 traditional mas’ characters andf urther treated to 11 performances consisting of 54 primary school students. These performances demonstrated the power of the arts as a vehicle for education and national unity through a diverse display of talent that aptly represents our Trinbagonian culture. This included artistic expressions such as:
• Steelpan
• Spoken Word
• Calypso
• Traditional Tassa drumming
• Folk dance
• African drumming and dance
•Limbo
•Indian classical and cultural dance
•Skits
•Tobago Jig performed by students from Tobago

All performers received medals, trophies and tokens of appreciation and recognition from Republic Bank and Pennacool.com. Attendees also enjoyed interactive educational activities and games facilitated by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and several supporting sponsors.

The VCCE Arts and Cultural Concert has grown out of a 15-year partnership between Republic Bank’s Power to Make a Difference programme and Pennacool.com. Through this partnership, students from over 500 primary schools have gained free access to curriculum aligned digital VCCE and Math and Language Arts 123 platforms with interactive lessons, hundreds of educational videos and a rewards system that makes learning fun. The Bank donated 2,000 VCCE Math and Language Arts workbooks and serves as the title sponsor of the annual VCCE Arts and Cultural Concert and Pennacool’s National Spelling Bee.

The Bank’s PMAD programme continues to create valuable educational opportunities and inspire student achievement across our communities, fostering a culture of learning and empowering young minds to reach their full potential.

Pennacool.com Caribbean Limited is an innovative online learning platform that provides curriculum-aligned, interactive education for primary-level students. Through strategic partnerships with corporate stakeholders, the platform offers free access to high-quality educational resources designed to enhance academic performance and support student development across Trinidad and Tobago.

This event not only underscores Republic Bank’s commitment to youth empowerment, cultural development and education but also aligns with Pennacool.com’s mission to deliver meaningful and engaging educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom.