Kumasi schools warm up to lay claim for National Science and Maths Quiz title

The National Science and Maths Quiz has become the most popular competition for Senior High Schools in Ghana.

The annual exercise introduced in 1994 is meant to improve science and mathematics education in the country.

Prempeh College and Opoku Ware School are the only schools in the Ashanti Region to have won the competition since its inception.

Amanfoo have registered its name to the title three times while Akatayie has clinched it on two occasions.

After winning the competition last year, Prempeh College was kicked out in the early stages of their title defence bid.

OWASS, on the other hand, came close to equaling Prempeh’s regional record this year, picking the second position behind Central Region’s Adisadel College.

The performance of both schools show they are putting in great effort to maintain their clout in the prestigious contest.

Kumasi Anglican Senior High School came close to writing their name in gold in two editions, having emerged first and second runner-up in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

School authorities say they are improving on infrastructure to enhance academic work and improve the school’s showing in the Brilliant Science and Maths Quiz.

In the last three editions, Kumasi Senior High School found themselves at the semi-final stage, a feat officials attribute to continued improvement in science resources.

Headmaster, Michael O. Yeboah, believes with the necessary infrastructure the school can break into the dominant schools in the region and at the national level.

“We were provided with some laboratory equipment and chemicals by the government. The school itself is trying to get other modern equipment to upgrade the laboratories to improve science education.”

Infrastructural expansion has become important to all schools in the region, a deliberate attempt to increase both teacher and student performance.

Old Students and Parent-Teacher Associations in all schools are supporting in diverse ways.

Mmerantie (Kumasi High) Old Boys Association has, in the last year, opened an infirmary in addition to donations of hospital equipment and books of various fields of study to the school.

Leading member of United Kingdom and Northern Ireland branch, Ampabeng Marfo, says the association will continue to support the school to produce the best of students in the country.

Adisadel College are title holders who will be the target of all schools when next year’s search for hounours begins.

With the preparations of the schools in the Ashanti Region, it is anticipated the diadem will return to the Kingdom of Gold.

As pack leaders, Prempeh College and Opoku Ware School, double efforts to recapture their lost glory, others are looking to spring surprises.

The question is, are we going to see a first- time winners or the ‘old warriors’ will die hard to bring glory back home?