Children’s Mash 2026 opens with calypso, poetry and new digital scoring system

Young performers from across Guyana took centre stage at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday as the Ministry of Education opened the National Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Competitions for Children’s Mashramani 2026.

The event, organised by the Ministry’s Unit of Allied Arts, marked the first day of a three-day programme celebrating youth creativity, culture and national identity, ahead of the Mashramani Road Parade on Saturday

For the first time, organisers introduced a digital scoring system, allowing judges’ results to be compiled and announced with greater accuracy and in record time; a move officials said modernised the competition and brought it closer to international standards

Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for the Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, said the arts play a critical role in developing emotional intelligence, critical thinking and cultural awareness among young people.

“Mashramani is the heartbeat of our nation’s cultural expression,” Fraser said, adding that the programme reflects this year’s theme, “Little Builders of One Guyana: Learning Together, Shaping a Digital Tomorrow”

Education Minister Sonia Parag, who attended the opening, encouraged students to embrace their creativity and view the arts as a pathway to opportunity.

“Don’t ever be shy about your talent,” Parag told participants, noting the government’s growing focus on the creative or “orange” economy, which seeks to develop culture as a national product

Competitions on Wednesday covered calypso and dramatic poetry across multiple age groups.

In the 8-10 Calypso category, Zelie James of Santa Rosa Primary School, Region One, placed first, while Amia Peters of No. 29 Primary School, Region Five, won the Dramatic Poetry segment

Among the 11-13 competitors, Tatianna Benn of Tutorial Academy Secondary, Region Six, won the Calypso title, and Blessing Peters of Three Miles Secondary School, Region Seven, claimed first place in Dramatic Poetry with “A Future Dismissed”

Atiya Mohamed of Zeeburg Secondary School, Region Three, topped the 14-18 Calypso competition with “Hands Off Guyana,” while Kareem Jabor of Christ Church Secondary School won Dramatic Poetry with “Death of Masquerade”

The programme continues on Thursday with the National Dance and Hip-Hop competitions, before culminating in Saturday’s Road Parade through Georgetown, featuring nearly 1,500 students from schools nationwide.

 

FULL RESULTS: CHILDREN’S MASHRAMANI 2026

National Calypso and Dramatic Poetry Competitions

National Cultural Centre | February 12, 2026

 

CALYPSO – 8 TO 10 YEARS

1st Place

Zelie James, Santa Rosa Primary School, Region One

Performance: “Don’t Underestimate Individuals Like Me”

2nd Place

Heavenly Whinfield , Wismar Hill Primary School, Region Ten

Performance: “Do Wait Is Right”

3rd Place

Uzziah McDonald, Revon’s Academy, Region Three

Performance: “The Wake-Up Call”

 

DRAMATIC POETRY – 8 TO 10 YEARS

1st Place

Amia Peters , No. 29 Primary School, Region Five

Performance: “Hope of Silence.”

2nd Place

Shekina Emerson, Regma Primary School, Region Ten

Performance: “A Dream of Unity in Reality.”

3rd Place

Trivena Tyrell , St. Angela’s Primary School, Georgetown

Performance: “Mashramani Nice.”

 

CALYPSO – 11 TO 13 YEARS

1st Place

Tatianna Benn, Tutorial Academy Secondary, Region Six

Performance: “I Love My Country”

2nd Place

Hannan Ramsaroop, Queen’s College, Georgetown

Performance: “Little Builders, Big Tomorrow”

3rd Place

Stacy Mentis, Abram Zuil Secondary School, Region Two

Performance: “Our Country, Our Pride”

 

DRAMATIC POETRY – 11 TO 13 YEARS

1st Place

Blessing Peters, Three Miles Secondary School, Region Seven

Performance: “A Future Dismissed”

2nd Place

Trinity Thomas, McKenzie High School, Region Ten

Performance: “A Word Spoken Over Guyana”

3rd Place

Amika Persaud, St. Rose’s High School, Georgetown

Performance: “Lessons Beyond the Chalkboard”

 

CALYPSO – 14 TO 18 YEARS

1st Place

Atiya Mohamed, Zeeburg Secondary School, Region Three

Performance: “Hands Off Guyana”

2nd Place

Gardanna Albert, New Silver City Secondary School, Region Ten

Performance: “Technology”

3rd Place

Aliah De Lacruz, Santa Rosa Secondary School, Region One

Performance: “Young Teachers Plead”

 

DRAMATIC POETRY – 14 TO 18 YEARS

1st Place

Kareem Jabor, Christ Church Secondary School, Georgetown

Performance: “Death of Masquerade”

2nd Place

Ashanna Mohamed, Abram Zuil Secondary School, Region Two

Performance: “De Guyanese Chat GPT”

3rd Place

Precus Ferinand, Plaisance Secondary School, Region Four

Performance: “The Girl Under the Crown”