Returning champion, Sangre Grande Hindu School has done it again.

The student team was able to retain the title of National Disaster Preparedness Primary Schools' Quiz Champion for 2013.

Team captain, Vance Juteram, 10, said, "I am just so happy and proud of my team".

The winner took home the grand prize of the challenge trophy, a personal trophy, a medal, gift vouchers and $5,000 for the school.

In a weird case of déjà vu, Sangre Grande Hindu School found itself in the same spot this year as it did last year having to face off against its toughest competitor, Sacred Heart Girls RC.

In a thrilling battle where at times the points were tied; those in the audience waited with bated breath until there was a clear winner.

The competition was titled "Let's Get Ready National Disaster Preparedness Primary School Quiz". This year's quiz was held at the Calypso Lounge, Capital Plaza Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza), Port of Spain at 10 a.m.

The event was held by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre. The competition is in its third year.

The competition is aimed to better educate young pupils on all aspects of disaster preparedness and was structured in the form of a national essay and quiz which tested children's understanding and preparation in the event of a natural or man-made disaster in Trinidad and Tobago.

Two-time champion, Sangre Grande Hindu School almost did not make it into the final round after tying with Montrose APS Vedic School with 90 points. However the quick reflexes of Juteram on a tie-breaker question helped his team secure the final spot for the finals.

Despite being the last school with the fewest points heading into the final round, the children of Sangre Grande Hindu did not buckle under the pressure.

Kalawati Persad, a teacher from Sangre Grande Hindu School applauded her pupils and said, "The children always make us proud. We are happy to retain first place in this competition. I am grateful for the assistance given by the parents and other staff members since it was a collaborative effort to get the children ready for this competition."

School Supervisor II, Ministry of Education, Osborne Plaza posed the question to the small gathering inside the Calypso Lounge, "With all that you have learnt during this exercise, do you think we are ready for a natural disaster in Trinidad and Tobago?"

"I don't think so because as adults we have become complacent," he added.

He encouraged the youngsters in the audience to be the agents of change within Trinidad and Tobago. Plaza urged the children to share with others all they have learnt from participating in the competition.

The competition targeted pupils in standard four with more than 20 schools submitted entries and the following eight schools making it to the finals: Sangre Grande Hindu School, Gloster Lodge Moravian, Matura Government Primary, Guaico Presbyterian, Sacred Heart Girls RC, Holy Faith Preparatory and Otoire RC Primary School.

This year while quiz finalists received gift packages and a wide range of prizes, a special prize was awarded to Aryama Baboolal of Montrose APS Vedic School for the best essay.

One of the goals of ODPM is to ensure that young people are made aware of the types of disasters that can threaten communities and equip them with the tools and knowledge to be prepared for, as well as to mitigate these hazards.