Vedent Shetty of Calliaqua Anglican School captured first place in the 2026 Grade 5 Mathematics Quiz, taking home the top prize with an impressive score of 119 points.
The annual academic competition was hosted by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information in partnership with Hachette Learning. The event took place at the University of the West Indies Global Campus.
Following Shetty’s lead, Luke Williams from Kingstown Preparatory School secured second place with 106 points, while Leo Latchman of Sion Hill Government School finished in third with 95 points.
This year’s finals marked a notable milestone in the history of the event, as all eleven finalists competing for the championship were male students—a first for the annual competition.
The opening ceremony featured encouraging remarks from several educational leaders. Aldia Gumbs-Dyer, Senior Education Officer with responsibility for Curriculum, highlighted how mathematics is highly valuable for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, urging the young competitors to continue striving for academic excellence.
Byron Wilson, the Senior Education Consultant for Hachette Learning, also addressed the attendees. He commended the collective efforts of the teachers, school staff, and parents for their steadfast dedication to preparing the students for the quiz.
The finalists also received words of encouragement from a peer who had previously been in their shoes. Draádon Ackie, the 2025 Mathematics Quiz champion, spoke at the gathering, describing his own title win as one of the most rewarding experiences of his school life. He advised the 2026 participants to remain confident and give their best effort throughout the event.