The following statement was issued today by Roger D. Grimes, Minister of Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

High School Drama Festival to be part of Cabot Celebration

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will once again provide funding of $25,000 for a Provincial High School Drama Festival for May 1997. These funds are used to assist with accommodations and meals for students and teachers, and other expenses incurred in operating the festival. The drama clubs in participating schools raise funds to cover other costs such as student transportation to the festival.

The Provincial High School Drama Festival is a major annual activity of the Department of Education and secondary schools throughout the province. During the school year, schools participate in a Regional Festival and a school from each region is selected to participate in the Provincial Festival. Every year there are in excess of 100 schools participating in these regional festivals. The Provincial and Regional Festivals involve large numbers of senior high students who excel in acting as well as public speaking.

I am delighted to announce that the 23rd Provincial High School Drama Festival will be hosted by Discovery Collegiate, Bonavista, on May 8, 9 and 10, 1997. The Department of Education will be organizing the festival in partnership with the Clarenville/Bonavista School District and Discovery Collegiate.

During the winter/spring of 1997, there will be 10 regional festivals, one within each of the 10 new school districts. One school from each school district (or region), plus the host school, Discovery Collegiate, will be invited to participate in the Provincial High School Drama Festival. The host school will be writing a play to be performed on opening night that will reflect the historic landfall of John Cabot at Bonavista in 1497.

Drama/theatre arts is an important component of the schools' curriculum and the cultural heritage of our province. 1997 has been declared as the Year of the Arts. The 23rd Provincial High School Drama Festival will be a special event as part of the Cabot 500 Celebrations.