A 2023 semi-finalist of the ongoing National Science and Maths Quiz, Prempeh College, has protested their “unfair” exit from the competition.
The team contended that the answer one of their candidates provided during the last round of the contest was similar to what the consultants required and hence should have been accepted.
“Prempeh College gave the answer as the ‘principle of superposition’, but the consultant argued that the answer was ‘the principle of linear superposition’.”
“He [the consultant] claims there exist other types of superposition, like exponential position; hence, the answer the student gave is incorrect”, the Prempeh team noted in a statement on October 19, 2023.
Prempeh stated that “there are several sources that show that the ‘principle of superposition’, when used, applies to only linear systems” and that “when applied in the broadest sense, the ‘principle of superposition’ is also known as the ‘principle of linear superposition’.”
The school added that although the team exercised the right to challenge the consultants during the contest, their challenge was rejected.
The consultant, Prempeh College said, exercised his right of discretion by following the basic principles of the exercise of discretion, adding that the NSMQ is a science-based contest that should not lend itself to disputes.
Prempeh NSMQ demanded from the organisers, Primetime Limited, an immediate rectification of the alleged mistake while duly awarding them their deserved marks and publishing the revised results.
According to them, this will protect the integrity of the competition.
The team also expressed their determination to pursue the matter fully to its conclusion, including the option to go to court.
“We are therefore in this vein requesting with immediate effect the rectification of the error for Prempeh College to be duly awarded that they have earned and for your esteemed organisation to publish with equivocation the rectification and the restitution so done.”
“This will not only safeguard the integrity of the contest but also remove all perceptions of bias and perceived agendas to disadvantage certain schools in favour of others.”
“We do not take this lightly and wish to point out that we are ready and willing to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion, including but not limited to recourse to judicial processes,” the statement added.
At the end of the contest, both Prempeh College and Pope John SHS garnered 36 points, whereas Opoku Ware School had 38 points.
