They have been turning out in bigger numbers in the several dazzling preliminaries to the grand costume and float parade tomorrow and their messages have been many and to the point - unity, peace, togetherness, nation building.

In their calypsos and in their parades they have also been highlighting problems near to them, like the teacher exodus and the impact this has been having on the education system.

But the children and their schools have not been prancing off in different directions to hold `separate' Mash celebrations as leaders in a major political Opposition party have been continuing to advocate for tomorrow's grand celebrations.

Political leaders should be listening to the children as they celebrate in their unique style and the resounding message from their voices lifted high is: let's move on in unity and stop the divisive tactics!

Children don't see each other in terms of colour, race and creed and this was clear for all to see as they, in all ages and from all backgrounds, have been coming together in the melting pot that bubbles on national occasions like Mash.

They are taught by adults to see each other through race and other blinkers and these blinkers become even sharper when grown people seek party and similar divisions on national occasions, like the current observances for the anniversary of the Republic.

Calls for Guyanese to `mash' separate ways send the wrong message, especially to young children who are bound to be confused when they have been merrily mashing as one in the run-up to the grand finale.

Mashing apart is not mashing in the spirit of Mashramani and it is time that civic and other leaders begin to urge a turning away from this regrettable turning point.

The official theme for this year's celebrations is `Colourful and true in 2002' and there could nothing `true' in this land of six peoples living as `One People, One Nation with One Destiny' about folks taking different roads on Mash Day.

Some adults are moving down the wrong road and they should be told so in firm tones.

Children have become a force to be reckoned with in the Mashramani observances and sometimes they clearly outshine the adults in performances. Like last Saturday - there they were, as our reporter noted: "Colourful and true also was the purposefulness with which the kids strut their stuff in an all-out effort at ensuring that their respective schools secured a place in a contest that marked the end of four days of fierce competition in the disciplines of dance, costume, physical display, masquerade, calypso and dramatic poetry."

See how much kids put into having fun together and trying to grow up together in a land they would want to give their all to?

They have been and are speaking loudly to those who plan to dance and prance to a different tune tomorrow.

It would be a great pity if the voices of the children are not heeded. They have so much to teach adults.