The NSMQ: A Project full of Potentials 

No doubt the National Science and Math Quiz (NSMQ-2021) Competition has been exhilirating. I loved it as am sure many did. Thanks to the organisers, schools and sponsers. Aside the entertainment, it offered an escape and comraderie away from the increasingly “Hard System”.

Going forward, I am sure the organizers have taken their own notes about how to make this better. For me, there have been a few observations and things I hope we go forward with – even IF it is just a wish for now.

(1) During Quiz madam Kauffman’s interview of contestants at the finals, it was obvious they hadn’t had any coaching on what and how to engage on pre or post match interviews – even though it was bound to happen. It is critical we give these young folks these types of real-life working skills via coaching as part of preparations – it will make them confident and publicly appealing. Every single one of them, when asked what the future holds, responded with their prefered professions. It was an opportunity we missed for them to learn soft skills in – Level C diplomacy, public speaking, body language, communication, etc

(2) From #1 above, it was very obvious that the scope of disciplinary pursuits (professions) these young folks know about, or that our universities offered was extremely limited. THAT, is a problem IF indeed we wish to catch up with the rest of the world. Or maybe we don’t. This is a bigger Public Policy issue. But it has to start with the Universities – the only way I see out, is an intentionally driven agenda for collaborations and co-curricularization with as many varied universities as possible outside Ghana already involved in disciplinary branches we are not. Cross knowledge is always rich – in more ways than one.

(3) The Francisca Case. Yes we were all happy that after 8 competitions, a girl appeared in the final. It must also make us angry. I mean, How? It not only speaks volumes about the disparity in the quality and resourcing of education from South to North of Ghana – how can this be changed? Too many ideas, practical ideas to elaborate here, but it is doable IF WE WANT. The more important thing is – How do we INTENTIONALLY get more girls into the finals? Again, IF we want to. Shall we make it compulsory for mixed schools to field equal number of girls on their teams at least? How about boy’s schools? Do we require them to of necessity, get a girl representative from a girls/mixed school from their respective region that is also not in the finals? Too disruptive? Or will it actually force collaboration among schools and engineer a bigger share of final winning glories and also mainstream the Gender-Agenda? Or we are too proud to put The Equality fight above Exclusivity Pride? We have to start from somewhere – INTENTIONALLY.

(4) It was very REVEALING that we saw a Science and Maths quiz, BUT ALL the school slogans at the finals were GOD-driven. From “We are 7 a living God”, through “God of 1Ders” to “Glori5 God”… None spoke to Science. Look, I am a full blooded Christian – but we have to start teaching our youth that Conformity-Faith is NOT the answer to everything, especially the things he has given us BRAINS for. IF they can’t be taught to be confident in their Christianity and yet, still Face realities with their brains, then, our future is as good as sold for free.

(5) Finally…. After the Quiz, how much further can we go? How can Public and Private sector collaboratively FORCE the practicalization of the wits of these young lads? Internships, Projects that bridge quick wit, research and application? Maybe a section of the quiz named “Practical of the Day” that forces the practical demonstration of a theoretical preamble on the spot, with equipment on stage? I dare say we will be forward looking to add an element of Science Technology to it all. Why not? Science today is nada without the technology to apply it. So, why not. Whatever the case, ALL this amazing efforts will be useful to society IF practicality can become a big part of its endgame.

For now, well done to the organisers. We may have even just found a franchise to make it regional for AFRICA – Why Not. Good luck all.

By Marricke Kofi Gane