2019 NSMQ: Adaklu, Vakpo SHSs qualify for competition for the first time

Adaklu Senior High School (SHS) in the Volta Region has made history by securing a slot in the 2019 edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz competition for the first time.

The school represented by Godzo Richmond and Agbeko Kafui beat competition from Abutia, Wovenu and Sokode SHTSs, scoring 23 points to pick one of the 16 slots available to the Volta and Oti Regions.

Wovenu SHTS came second in the contest with 21 points, just 2 points adrift Adaklu SHS.

Sokode SHTS which substituted a contestant at the end of the second round after scoring zero, ended the contest with 3 points. Abutia SHTS recorded -3, the lowest in the contest so far.

Adaklu SHS which was a new entrant and seen as underdogs, were consistent in their performance recording 9 and 11 points in the first and second rounds respectively.

Wovenu SHTS after substituting a contestant prior to the second round, took the lead in the third round with 18 points, but failed to maintain their lead in the fourth round.

A contestant for Adaklu SHS, Agbeko Kafui, indicated they faced difficulties in the third round and had to “up their game in the final round by answered correctly as much riddles as we could”.

A Chemistry tutor, Dogbey Justice, who coached the students, indicated they would intensify preparations to warrant a better performance in the national level.

“Having identified the fallouts of the contestants, we the teachers would continue to work as a team, especially on their weaknesses to ensure we put up a better performance at the national competition”, he said.

Bishop Herman College also qualified with 56 points, the highest so far, while Zion College picked a slot with 35 points.

Vakpo SHS also secured a slot for the first time by becoming triumphant in the final contest for day 1 of the 4-day regional competition.

There are 12 more slots for the Volta and Oti Regions for grab.

Nonetheless, Mawuli and Keta SHSs have already been seeded for this year’s competition. Both schools were seeded because they progressed to the semi final stage in the 2018 edition of the NSMQ.