Etps and St George’s Secondary Win Mental
The inaugural Mental Math Champions Competition crowned Ebenezer Thomas Primary School (ETPS) as Primary Division champions on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while St George’s Secondary won the Secondary Division after the two-day event concluded on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, the competition showcased fast-thinking numerical skill across primary and secondary levels and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen mathematics through the Mathivated Project (sources: VINO).
Ebenezer Thomas Primary School (ETPS) topped the Primary Division of the inaugural Mental Math Champions Competition on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while St George’s Secondary captured the Secondary Division title after the two-day event concluded on Wednesday, May 27 at the Eileene L.
Sixteen primary schools were represented in the Primary Division by pupils in Grades 4 through 6. ETPS claimed first place, with St George’s Episcopal Anglican Primary finishing second and Francis Lettsome Primary School taking third. Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School and Enis Adams Primary School tied for fourth.
Organisers praised the strong participation and the competitive spirit displayed by pupils, teachers and supporting families (source: VINO). Hon Sharie B. de Castro, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, framed the competition as part of the ministry’s broader effort to strengthen mathematics at the primary level through its Mathivated Project and targeted professional development for teachers.
She told VINO the aim is to boost instructional quality so teachers can better develop students’ competencies over time, and acknowledged ongoing challenges with mathematics performance across K–12. “While we do sit good in terms of the regional average, in terms of BVI’s positioning, we are not comfortable because we are certain that we can do so much better,” the minister said (source: VINO).
The Secondary Division, which featured six public and private secondary schools, was held across May 26–27 as part of the first-ever Math Champions Competition. St George’s Secondary’s winning team — Akira Frett, McKayah Stevens, Jaydon Percival and Liz Gamboa — outperformed competitors to take first place.
In second was Elmore Stoutt High School, with Bregado Flax Educational Centre (Secondary) placing third. Virgin Islands School for Technical Studies and Ciboney Centre for Excellence tied for fourth (source: VINO). Education Officer for Mathematics Khalilah Callwood lauded the students’ performances, calling the event a true display of talent, perseverance, collaboration and academic excellence. “Throughout this competition, our students demonstrated confidence, resilience, quick thinking and exceptional mathematics skills.
Most importantly, they embraced the spirit of being truly ‘mathivated,’” she told VINO, and encouraged students to continue striving for excellence. Organisers and ministry officials said the Mental Math Champions Competition supports the ministry’s mission to move full S.T.E.A.M. ahead by building foundational numeracy skills early and giving students a platform to shine.
The ministry is promoting professional development beginning at the primary level so teachers can better support student learning, framing improvements in early numeracy as essential to long-term outcomes in secondary exams, workforce readiness and wider economic development (source: VINO).
The successful two-day debut sets a foundation for future competitions and expanded opportunities for students across the Territory to engage with mathematics and be “mathivated.”
Primary source: VINO