Antigua and Barbuda will be the venue for the semi-finals and finals of CARICOM'S 35th Anniversary Secondary School Quiz Competition, scheduled for June 30th and July 1st respectively.

In preparation for the event, which forms part of a series of activities to mark 35 years since the signing of the Treaty of Chagaramus, an elimination quizzing exercise organized by the Ministry of Education will be held on May 14th, in search of Antigua and Barbuda's National Team for the competition.

Confirmation of participation has come from eleven (11) Government and Private Schools, who will be required to select three 3rd or 4th Form students who have studied the CARICOM handbook to be their representatives.

A study period for participants in the elimination exercise began on April 22nd, and will conclude Tuesday 13th May. Following the eliminations on May 14th, the National Team of 3 students and a standby will be selected by a panel of Education Officials, in preparation for the zonal round of the competition to be held in St. Vincent on June 16th.

Acting Senior Education Officer Clare Browne speaking on Antigua and Barbuda's participation says, "If Antigua is hosting then Antigua has to be in it, we are not just trying to be in the semis nor the finals, we are in it to win it and will do our level best to ensure that the Antigua and Barbuda national team brings that trophy home."

"The Quiz will serve as a learning experience for both youngsters and adults, bringing awareness to the functions of CARICOM. We are talking about CSM, CSME and integration. When we get to know more about each other, it fosters closer unity among Member States of the Community" Browne added.

On the day of the elimination quiz, each of the students nominated will individually face the same set of 25 questions in an oral test, with a maximum 10 seconds to answer each question. The 6 students with the highest number of correct responses will be chosen to practice for a place on the national squad. The best 4 will form the Antigua and Barbuda National Team.

All questions will be drawn from the CARICOM handbook for schools.