Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
THE National High Schools Quiz is one of the most followed television broadcasts in Zimbabwe.
Though airing for a few short weeks every year, it always draws viewers in their droves as parents and guardians watch the progress of their children/wards, while classmates and colleagues root for their participating colleagues.
Lovers of trivia and related content find themselves glued to their screens.
Former contestants also get an opportunity to vicariously relieve their glory days by watching the younger generation slug it out in this academic contest.
The 2025 Old Mutual High Schools Quiz competition, which marks the 40th anniversary challenge, starts with provincial contests this month, with the grand finale slated for July 4.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe and the Book of African Records are reportedly pulling all the stops to make this year’s edition a success.
Quiz competitions play a significant role in both the development of the education sector and the personal growth of learners.
And here is how:
Promoting academic excellence: Quiz competitions encourage schools to emphasise quality education, pushing teachers and pupils to go beyond textbooks and exam requirements.
Benchmarking and evaluation: Quizzes can serve as informal assessments that help educators identify gaps in students’ understanding, while also helping teachers and administrators improve their methods.
Inter-school collaboration: The competition helps create networks between learning institutions, leading to sharing of best practices and healthy academic rivalry.
Holistic learning: Contests such as the Old Mutual High Schools Quiz push curriculum designers and educators to include current affairs, general knowledge and real-world topics, fostering well-rounded education.
Innovation in pedagogy: Schools adopt new tools, methods and technologies (like quiz apps, interactive learning) to prepare students for competitions, in the process modernising and developing the education system.
More specifically on the learners themselves, quiz competitions help develop cognitive skills by enhancing memory, recall speed, logical thinking and critical reasoning.
In addition, they boost confidence and build self-esteem, while also improving public speaking capacities.
Learners also benefit from improved discipline and focus, which are key components in both preparation and participation.
Naturally, the curiosity of children is piqued as they tend to become more inquisitive, in the process becoming self-starters when it comes to study and research.
Another major plus is the teamwork and collaboration improve as children learn to identify each other’s strengths and how best to bring these together for a common positive outcome.
Participation in quiz competitions also helps with talent identification, with teachers, parents and guardians gaining valuable insights into a child’s capabilities.
Let us not forget that this public contest helps young people to learn how to both win and confront failure with grace.
In a nutshell, quiz competitions are more than just contests, they are powerful educational tools that cultivate intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning habits and essential life skills.
Online Reporter