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The Ghana Science Olympiad (GSO), is a competition which is held annually for schools under the Secondary Education Improved Project (SEIP). The Olympiad seeks to help students to develop the habits of critical thinking and problem solving skills; and approaches to real life situations of inter-disciplinary relevant content.
The 2020 GSO was put together by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in collaboration with the Science Education Unit (SEU) as part of SEIP activities for the year. The purpose of the Olympiad is to prepare participants for higher academic achievement.
As a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, this year’s Olympiad was divided into two zones. The Southern Zone was made up of Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Western, Western North, Volta, Central, Greater Accra and Eastern Regions. The Northern Zone comprised SEIP schools from the Northern, North East, Savanna, Ashanti, Oti, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The Sothern Zone Olympiad was held at the Sunyani Senior High School (SHS) from Monday, November 9, to Thursday, November 12, 2020. A total of 254 students from 127 schools participated in the Southern Zone. The activities for the Olympiad included
- a one and half hour objective test in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Agricultural Science,
- a three hour theory test in Physics, Chemistry and Biology; and
- a three hour test of practical knowledge in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Participants were assessed in these areas and medals were awarded to top performing students.
At the end of the Southern Zone Olympiad 30 medals were awarded to deserving students. Out of this number, Central Region won 14 medals comprising; four gold, six silver and four bronze medals. Ten schools have gained entry into the grand finale; five of these schools are from the Central Region. They are Breman Asikuma SHS, Nsaba Presbyterian SHS, Apam SHS, Twifo Praso SHS and Swedru SHS.
In his closing remarks, the headmaster of Sunyani SHS, who was the chairman for the grand durba held for the Southern Zone Olympiad, praised the organizers of the Olympiad and encouraged participants to work harder. He also told participants to share their experiences with their peers to enable all of them to perform better in their final examinations.
The Northern Zone Olympiad is underway and will end on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Winning schools will joined their counterparts from the Southern Zone to compete for honours in the grand finale which will be held from Monday, November 23 to Friday, November, 27, 2020 at the SEU, Cantoments; Accra.
By Ebenezer Nana Wilson
(Silent Observer)
