The 2017 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz has officially been launched in Accra with 135 second cycle institutions across the country to compete for the laurels.
This year’s curtain-raiser is a novelty to have happened outside the University of Ghana, Legon, where the month-long popular television quiz competition will be staged.
In her welcome address, Nana Akua Ankomah-Asare, Managing Director of Primetime, producers of the competition, said the 22nd edition of the quiz is going to be unique.
“This year’s competition is a very special one in the sense that we are doing this launch for the first time; doing a Science and Technology Fair and we have the support of our Platinum Sponsors to thank,” Mrs. Ankomah-Asare said.
She further implored the students to fully participate in all the activities and programmes that are tailor-made for them in unearthing their innate potentials.
In addition, there will be Mentorship Sessions for the students during the competition, coupled with a picnic.
Delivering an address on behalf of the President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Dr. Shine Ofori renewed CHASS’ commitment to supporting the National Science & Maths Quiz. She said CHASS; the main sponsor of the NSMQ is looking forward to the number of participating schools in the NSMQ increase from 135 at present. According to her, science and technology are key tools in bringing the needed development in the present time as well as the future.
Dr. Ofori challenged Primetime to expand the competition beyond the shores of Ghana as their colleague Principals in the sub-region are yearning to having an intriguing and educative quiz such as the National Science & Maths Quiz.
“CHASS is committed to this course and will continue to actively participate in all the processes that will lead to the continuity of this learning activity. Because of the NSMQ, CHASS has gained unique acclamation from Principals worldwide and are desirous of having a replica of the National Science & Maths Quiz in their respective countries,” the educationist explained.
On the part of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Adelaide Asante, Ag. Director of Science, Technology and Innovation said having a competition like the NSMQ will rekindle the interest of students in learning the sciences and thereby reducing the worsening ratio of students in the Sciences vis a vis the Humanities. She also applauded Primetime for incorporating Mentorship Sessions and the Science and Technology Fair into the contest.
Officially performing the launch of the 2017 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz, Mr. Andrew Kwaning, Director of Science Education at the Ministry of Education, indicated that the development of any country is largely dependent on the study of science and technology and as a country, there is the need to make a concerted effort in enhancing the teaching and learning of science.
Mr. Kwaning noted that competitions such as the NSMQ assist students to excel in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“Educational programmes such as the NSMQ, Science Fairs and Olympiads are what students are very much interested in, hence makes them study the subjects and do well in the final examinations. We have also noticed that schools that excel in the National Science & Maths Quiz are those that go ahead to do well in the WASSCE,” the Director of Science Education explained.
Mr. Andrew Kwaning, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh officially launched the 2017 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz and wished all competing schools well.
The 2017 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz is sponsored by the Ghana Education Service through the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), with support from Tigo, Goil, Prudential Life Insurance, Accra College of Medicine (ACM) and GCB Bank.
Meanwhile, competing schools are expected to arrive at the University of Ghana, Legon from Friday, June 2, 2017, for the start of the preliminary contests on Monday, June 5, 2017.
