The Ebenezer Thomas Primary School (ETPS) emerged victorious in the first-ever Mental Math Champions Competition Primary Division. Photo: Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports

The first ever Mental Maths Champions Championship was held on May 26, 2026, at the Eileen L. Parsons Auditorium. Photo: Education, Youth Affairs and Sports

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), has said there is still room for improvement in Mathematics in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports

The Secondary Division of the Mental Math Champions Competition will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Sixteen primary schools, represented by students from Grades 4 to 6, participated in the competition. St George’s Episcopal Anglican Primary Division emerged second, Francis Lettsome Primary School was third, and Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School and Enis Adams Primary School tied for fourth place.

Mathivated Project

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), said the ministry has deployed its ‘Mathivated Project’ across schools and rolled out professional development opportunities beginning at the primary school level. 

“So our teachers become a lot more comfortable with the instructional quality in their classrooms, and so we expect that over a period of time the development of competencies and skills in mathematics will continue to improve across the Territory.”

This Mental Math Champions Competition, she explained, is one of the initiatives that her ministry is using to build on those skills while displaying the collective competencies of the students across the territory.

More work to do

Hon de Castro said the ministry has been transparent about the issues with mathematics across grades K through 12, the exit proficiency exam, as well as the CXC examination.

“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 Mental Math Champions Competition continues today, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with the Secondary Division. 

The minister said she looked forward to the competition being a “foundation of learning” for the students.