Sparta Primary School of Region Two emerged as the winner of the fourth edition of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ (GNBS) Standards in Academia Quiz Competition 2026, which culminated on Friday, May 29, at the Bureau’s Head Office, Exhibition Centre, Sophia.
The competition sought to foster awareness and a deeper understanding of GNBS role and the importance of standards and metrology, among primary-aged pupils. This year, sixteen schools from Regions Two, Four, Six and Ten were selected to participate in the competition.
The biennial competition challenged the Grade 5 pupils through a variety of questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, spelling, true-or-false, and short-answer questions focused on the benefits and importance of standards, usefulness of reliable measurements and the International System of Units (SI Units), and other crucial details about the functions and services of the GNBS.
Following several rounds of intense competition, Sparta Primary secured first position with 36 points. St. Agnes Primary of Georgetown finished a close second with 35 points, while Cropper Primary of Region Six placed third with 28 points. Watooka Day Primary of Region Ten secured fourth place with 12 points.
For securing first place, Sparta Primary received the Champion’s trophy, a $50,000 voucher for school supplies, and the grand prize of an Essequibo River tour, including a visit to Fort Zeelandia for two teachers and two pupils.
St. Agnes Primary, which placed second, received the runner-up trophy and a $25,000 voucher for school supplies. Tokens of appreciation were also presented to all finalist schools in recognition of their achievements.
Best performing Pupil, Maanav Mahabir of Sparta Primary, who accumulated 20 points, was awarded a laptop for his outstanding performance.
“I revised the booklet every day…I feel excited because I have always wanted a laptop,” Mahabir shared, expressing his delight upon receiving his prize.
Moneta Jacobus, a teacher from Sparta Primary, expressed gratitude to the GNBS for creating an engaging and educational competition that encourages learning and exposes pupils to important concepts like standards, measurements and quality. She explained that the competition complemented the Mathematics curriculum, adding, “In terms of the Mathematics syllabus, especially with the SI Units and so on, it is very beneficial for the pupils. They did not take a long time to grasp the concepts.”
Jacobus added that she was overwhelmed when Sparta was announced as the winner, “I was moved to tears … It is a joy and honour to be with both of them [Maanav and Tellesha], and it was a tough competition…I would like to say thanks to the GNBS for giving us the opportunity to participate in the competition.”
During the prize-giving ceremony, Executive Director of GNBS, Trevor Bassoo, congratulated all the participating schools and commended the pupils for their enthusiasm, preparation and competitive spirit.
He noted that initiatives such as the Standards in Academia Quiz Competition play an important role in introducing young minds to the principles of quality, standards and measurement, which are essential to national development.
Bassoo further explained, “From the food we eat, the time we use to plan our daily activities, the products we use, the services we receive, and even the safety measures that protect us, standards influence every aspect of our lives. By introducing these concepts to our young people, we are helping to shape a generation that values excellence, accountability, safety, and informed decision-making.”
Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Rabindra Singh, also commended the GNBS for its continued investment in educational initiatives that complement the Ministry of Education’s curriculum while promoting critical thinking among pupils.
He explained, “While listening to the questions that were asked in the various areas, I was really happy to see that the competition has a direct linkage to our curriculum, especially for our Grades Five and Six pupils. The Mathematics aspect of the competition, like measurements, includes all the topics that we do from Grades Four to Six that are tested in our Grades Five and Six exams. So, these children are not only exposed to content from our curriculum but also from GNBS booklet. It is also linked to our English Language exam that helps the children to build their skills in spelling and grammar.”
Singh also encouraged other agencies to develop similar competitions that support examination preparedness for the pupils.
“I would be more grateful if more agencies could come in and have competitions like these prior to our national Grade Five and Six exams, since it would help to boost the children’s preparedness for the exams. I really appreciate the competition by the GNBS,” he said.
Other participating schools of this year’s competition were Hampton Court Primary, Queenstown Primary, Fisher Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Winfer Gardens Primary, F.E. Pollard Primary, Eversham Primary, Corriverton Primary, Skeldon Primary, Wismar Hill Primary, Christianburg Primary, and St. Aidan’s Primary.
