Multiple educational institutions from northern Trinidad have officially withdrawn from the prestigious 2026 National Schools’ Panorama competition following what they describe as insufficient notice regarding the event’s relocation to Skinner Park in San Fernando. According to insider reports obtained by Newsday, approximately eight to ten schools have opted out of the musical championship.
The core issue, as explained by several anonymous musical directors and educators, revolves not around opposition to the southern venue itself, but rather the impractical timeframe for logistical preparation. The competition’s unexpected shift from its traditional home at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain to Skinner Park—coupled with its scheduling on Monday, January 19, 2026—has created insurmountable challenges for participating schools.
One musical director revealed that initial rumors about the venue change emerged approximately one month prior, but official confirmation from the Ministry of Education—which coordinates the event with Pan Trinbago’s assistance—remained ambiguous until recently. “When we did receive confirmation,” the director stated, “we were instructed to register despite our concerns, creating the false impression that northern schools accepted the southern venue without objection.”
The financial implications of the relocation have proven particularly burdensome. While the Ministry offered TT$3,000 in transportation assistance, directors estimate actual costs for traveling to San Fernando could reach TT$17,000—nearly double the TT$9,000 typically required for attending the Port of Spain event. This substantial increase renders participation economically unviable for many institutions, especially considering the competition’s top prize of TT$35,000 and overall preparation costs that can exceed TT$100,000.
Notable withdrawals include Bishop Anstey High School Port of Spain, Queen’s Royal College, and the 2025 champions Bishop Anstey East. Educators emphasize that with proper advance notice—ideally a full year—and adequate financial support, they would welcome the opportunity to bring the cultural event to Skinner Park. The current combination of short notice, inadequate funding, and problematic weekday scheduling has unfortunately made participation impossible for several northern schools.
Despite multiple attempts to contact Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath for comment, including WhatsApp messages and phone calls on December 22-23, Newsday received no immediate response from the Ministry regarding these concerns.