A coach and past contestant for Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) in the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), Dr Benjamin Mawunya Boafor, says the school has done enough to regain its place among Category A pre-tertiary institutions in the country.

He said the reclassification of KETASCO by the Ghana Education Service (GES) from a Category A school to a Category B one had affected its appeal to prospective top students.

Despite KETASCO’s strong academic performance, including its recent exploits in the NSMQ, Dr Boafor said, many bright students would choose a Category A school over KETASCO based on its status.

He insisted that the situation had impacted the school’s intake of high-achieving students.

Dr Boafor, a surgeon, made the remarks when he led the KETASCO 2024 NSMQ contestants on a visit to the Daily Graphic newsroom in Accra.

The visit was aimed at exposing the contestants to media opportunities while highlighting KETASCO’s plans and needs in the NSMQ.

The KETASCO team included Master Adorsoo Edem Clinton, Miss Perpetual Sefakor Gakpetor, Master Chris Adabla, and Master Frederick Adjavor-Sowalo.

They were welcomed by the Graphic editorial team, led by the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey.

Other members of the Graphic editorial team were the Chief Sub-Editor, Zakaria Alhassan; News Editor, Samuel Doe Ablordeppey; Sub-Editor, Timothy Gobah; Deputy News Editor, Michael Quaye; Editor of Graphic Digital, Enoch Darfah Frimpong; Digital Services Manager, Francis Osabutey; and Education and Agriculture News Editor, Severious Kale Dery.

Limited infrastructure, resources

Dr Boafor explained that despite KETASCO’s limited resources, the school had excelled in the NSMQ, reaching the finals twice in the last four years.

He stressed that aside from Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, and Prempeh College, KETASCO remained the only school to have achieved the feat in recent years, demonstrating its strong commitment to academic excellence.

He further highlighted that the Volta Region had only three Category A schools after KETASCO had its classification downgraded in the 2017-2018 academic year.

NSMQ 2024 Finals

In the 2024 NSMQ, Mfantsipim School claimed victory over St Augustine’s College and KETASCO.

Mfantsipim won the contest with 47 points, with St Augustine’s College coming in second with 46 points, while KETASCO placed third with 32 points.

In 2021, KETASCO finished the final in third place after competing against PRESEC, Legon, and Prempeh College.

For their efforts, Mfantsipim School received the 2024 NSMQ trophy, over GH¢70,000 in cash, and other prizes.

St Augustine’s College took home GH¢50,000, while KETASCO received GH¢35,000.

Disadvantage in WASSCE

Responding to a question on whether NSMQ contestants gained an advantage in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Dr Boafor stated that preparation for the NSMQ trained students beyond the WASSCE.

He explained that contestants sometimes dedicated extensive time to non-WASSCE topics for the quiz, which diverted their studies from materials tested in the WASSCE.

He stressed that contestants underwent rigorous training for at least a year after being selected either in their first or second year.

Sharing their insights, Master Clinton explained that contestants were trained in all subjects covered in the quiz, helping them to develop a broad mastery of topics.

Although they did not secure the win, he expressed the hope that future KETASCO teams could achieve ultimate success in the competition.

Ms Gakpetor, the only female contestant in her team, found the experience fulfilling, and said it was an “interesting journey with ups and downs”.