The ongoing 2016 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is getting keener and interesting day after day as the lesser known schools are giving the so called “crème de la crème” schools a run for their money in the one-eighth stage of the competition.
One of such contest was the one involving Winneba SHS, Ashiaman SHS and the Reigning Champions, Prempeh College in the 9th in series of the one-eighth stage of the competition.
- Defending Champions, Prempeh College
This contest which has sparked a lot of debate on social media with many accusing Primetime Limited, organisers of the competition for cheating underdogs Winneba SHS to favour three times champions Prempeh College, an allegation the company has vehemently denied.
The contest as usual is presented in five rounds: the round for fundamental questions in Science and Mathematics; the speed round and “the Problem of the Day.” The remaining two rounds include True or False statements and the round for Riddles.
The first two rounds had no problem with Prempeh College scoring 27 points, closely followed by Winneba SHS with 26 points and Ashaiman with 12.
- Winneba SHS
The 3rd round which is the “Problem of the Day” where all three competing schools are presented with the same question to attempt in three minutes; after which they are awarded marks based on the quality of answers provided. In the case of this contest, there was a problem with the question presented to all three schools. Speaking to Univers news off record, one of the consultants of the NSMQ, admitted there was an error with the question to all three schools.
“On the question paper 4 hydrogens was stated for the contestants to work with instead of 11. Ashaiman SHS and Winneba SHS upon realizing the mistake used the 11 hydrogens gas which ironically corresponds to the ideal solution presented by the Consultants to the supposedly wrong question. Prempeh College on the other hand stuck to the 4 hydrogens indicated on the question paper.” the consultant explained.
But all these came to light after the solutions presented by the schools where scored by the Quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann. Out of the 10 points for the question, Prempeh College had 1 (28) whilst Winneba SHS and Ashaiman SHS had 7 (33) and 3 (15) points respectively. Upon realizing the answers presented by the other two schools, contestants of the 2015 NSMQ winners, Prempeh College drew the attention of the Quiz mistress to the fact that, there was no way the solution provided by Winneba SHS and Ashaiman SHS could have satisfied the question, a claim the quiz mistress in consultation with the Chemistry consultant upheld.
- Ashiaman SHS
In fairness of the competition, the Quiz mistress again in consultation with the consultants agreed for the third round to be retaken but this time a question in Biology. This decision was gladly welcome with thunderous claps and cheers from supporters of Prempeh College whilst funs of Winneba SHS initially resisted the decision but later kowtow to the resolution.
At end of the retaken “problem of the Day”, Winneba SHS and Prempeh College had 3 each with Ashaiman SHS scoring 2. With the new scores, the results at the end of the third round was as follows: Prempeh College 36; Winneba SHS with 31 and 17 for Ashaiman SHS.
Contestants for Winneba SHS could not keep their composure in the fourth and the final round of the competition as they dissipated their points to allow Prempeh College to sail through to the quarter finals.
Earlier in the day two times NSMQ champions , Mfantsipim School and Wesley Girl’s school narrowly won their respective contest to also book a place in the quarter finals where they will lock horns with Mfantsipim School and Prempeh College.
By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7MHz
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