Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, the long-standing Quiz Mistress of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has emphasised that she maintains strict professional boundaries when interacting with students ahead of the competition.
According to her, although students from various schools often approach her with questions and requests for guidance, she is careful not to compromise the integrity of the competition.
Speaking in an interview on Onua TV on March 8, 2026, Prof Elsie explained that students who reach out to her usually ask general science questions rather than questions related to the competition itself.
“Most of them know that I won’t compromise myself. When they come to me, and they have questions for me, they ask general questions that I can answer,” she said.
She further explained that prior to the start of the competition, students sometimes invite her for engagements or discussions, including virtual meetings.
“Before we start the competition, they invite me out, and I go. I would be on Zoom with some students from different schools. If they won’t ask me questions that I would be setting for the competition, I would answer and give out the necessary ideas,” she stated.
Prof Elsie said her goal in interacting with students is to encourage their interest in science rather than make the subject appear difficult or intimidating.
“The whole idea is to make all students like science. We don’t have to picture science to be rigid, that’s why when they ask me questions, I try to make them understand what I know, even though I can’t teach them everything,” she added.
Source: Ghanaweb