2018 National Science and Maths Quiz Winners Share Frustration

Winners of the 2018 National Science and Maths Quiz presenting the trophy won during the competition to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra

The three contestants from St Peters Senior High School (SHS) at Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region, who won the ultimate prize in this year's National Science and Maths Quiz, have presented their trophy to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

They were accompanied by Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh.

The President asked all stakeholders at the meeting-the headmaster, organisers, tutors, students and quiz mistress to share their challenges with him.

Concern
The concerns raised by the students caught the attention of all who had gathered at the President's Conference Room, including the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare.

Secretary to President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, kept nodding while the leader of the team Kwaku Annoh Kissi delivered his speech.

He disclosed the problems he, Oteng Frimpong and Benjamin Fenny encountered when they took part in a competition in Portugal.

He thanked the President and his government for implementing the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, saying “it has a great chance of giving other students the opportunity to experience what we had and also imbibe knowledge as we have done.”

The youngster was of the view that education in Ghana could be improved to meet international standards.

“Recently, we attended an international competition in Portugal and we realized that we were far behind in so many areas because they knew so many things that we didn't know and they are more practical.”

“I believe that in Ghana our educational system is very focused on theoretical aspect, so we don't really understand what we study; we can explain everything, we can describe everything but we can't apply anything to everyday situations, and I believe this is one of the problems that we are facing as a country,” he said.

“If our educational system is geared towards a more practical one which exposes the students to hands-on work and not just reading of books and answering questions, I believe it will go a long way to improve our educational system and help develop this nation as a whole.”

Appreciation
An obviously impressed President commended Kwaku for boldly speaking truth to power.

“From the way you spoke and what you have already done, I think the future looks bright for you,” he said.

He touched on the process, which has been initiated by the Ministry of Education to reform the educational curricular and take practical education seriously.

Commitment
President Akufo-Addo reiterated his government's determination to improve educational infrastructure in the country.

“We have to be able to strengthen our education so that they can compete in an even playing field; so I'm asking these questions so we can see where the deficiencies are, where the issues are and what we as government need to do to be able to fill the gap and enhance our capacity,” he added.

He, therefore, wished Kwaku and his colleagues the best of luck in their future endevours.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent