ACADEMIC TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ACCRA
Subject: Response to the Ruling and Subsequent Petition on the Quarterfinal Contest Between Keta
Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) and St. Augustine’s College (AUGUSCO)
St. Augustine’s College (AUGUSCO) has taken note o f the press statement issued by the Sharks Quiz
Academic Board on the quarterfinal contest held on March 19, 2026, a s well a s a subsequent communication
from the Management of Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) on the same matter. Our attersion
has further been drawn to two deeply troubling developments to which w e wish to respond firmly:
a. A decision by the organisers to re-stage the contest by requiring the two schools t o recompete on
the tie-breaker question; and
b . A letter from KETASCO urging the organisers t o declare them winners of a contest they did not
win i n open competition.
The College acknowledges and commends the Academic Talent Development Programme and the
Sharks Quiz team for their sustained efforts in fostering a competitive academic environment and exposing
students t o Olympiad-level problem-solving. As defending champions o f this prestigious competition, w e
remain committed to its standards of excellence, fairess, and intellectual rigour.
I n light of the foregoing, St. Augustine’s College wishes to state its position as follows:
1. On the Validity o f the Answer “Climas”
While w e respect the office of the Academic Board, St. Augustine’s College respectfully but firmly
disagrees with the ruling that “Climax” should be accepted as a correct answer within the context of the
question posed. The question explicitly referenced Greek tragedy — a discipline grounded in the
foundational principles o f Aristotle’s Poetics.
Within that precise canonical framework, the moment of highest tension i s most accurately identified
a s peripeteia, denoting a reversal of fortune. Academic precision, particularly i n a competitive quiz setting
and most especially i n a tie-breaker question, demands adherence t o such lechnical specificity rather than
recourse to broader, gencralised interpretations. Notably, the quiz mistress herself declared “Peripeteia” a s
the intended correct answer.
1. O n Procedural Consistency
Under the established rules governing this competition, any protest regarding a question must b e
raised and resolved before the declaration of final results. The events that followed this contest represent a
clear and serious departure from this long-standing procedural norm, raising legitimate concerns about
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lodged after results had been declared and the audience had left the studio.
consistency and fairness in adjudication. We note for the record that the protest against this question was
3. On the Integrity of the Competition
We wish to place o n record that any attempt t o manipulate the results o f a concluded contest — one
i n which the organisers formally declared St. Augustine’s College winners — poses a grave risk t o the
credibility and integrity that the Sharks Quiz has built over the years. The reputation of a competition of this
stature must rest on the authority of its organisers and their resolve to uphold the rules by which it i s
governed. Any capitulation to external pressure will irreparably erode the confidence of participants,
institutions, and the broader public in this programme.
Whilst we count on the good judgment of the Academic Board to uphold the rules and established
practices governing quiz competitions, and not to reopen a concluded contest, we wish to state clearly that St.
Augustine’s College has sought legal counsel o n this matter. Should the organisers proceed to stage a fresh
contest o r purport to declare any other party as winners of this quarterfinal, the College will not hesitate to
pursue all available legal remedies.
St. Augustine’s College remains committed to sportsmanship, fairness, and academic excellence. We
trust that the Sharks Quiz Academic Board will give full and careful consideration to all the facts and act in a
manner that upholds the integrity and long-term reputation o f this esteemed competition.
Thank you.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Godfred APPIAH. PhD
(HEADMASTER)
HEADMASTER
ST. AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE
CAPE COAST
21/03/26
Cc: DATE
The Regional Director, GES, CR
The Metro Director, GES, C R
The Board Chair, St. Augustine’s College
The Chairman, PTA, St. Augustine’s College
The Chairman, Staff Welfare, St. Augustine’s College
The Global President, APSU, Accra
The Sharks Quiz Coordinator, St. Augustine’s College
