IIE VARSITY COLLEGE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS QUIZ: DURBAN'S MOHAMMED KHAN TAKES TOP SPOT

Mohammed Sayfullah Khan (Gr 11 Orient Islamic School) pipped 7 other high school learners at the post during the recent Grand Finale of the annual The IIE’s Varsity College National High Schools Quiz (NHSQ). He won R10 000 cash for himself, R10 000 cash for his school and R5 000 cash for English teacher Mrs Rashida Asmal who helped him prepare for the quiz. Blessing Nyatsanza (Gr 10 Walmer High School Gqeberha) placed second and Johara Naidoo (Gr 11 Ashton International College Ballito) third.

The popular quiz, now in its 9th year, challenges Grade 9-11 high school students from across South Africa on their general knowledge in Geography, History, Science and Nature, Sports, Entertainment, and Current Affairs. It aims to find the ‘Smartest Learner’ and to encourage high school learners to expand their knowledge by engaging with various sources of information. With questions designed to reflect the latest trends in academia and to challenge the students to put their critical thinking caps on The IIE’s Varsity College’s National High Schools’ Quiz is more than just a competition. It is a platform that brings together the brightest young minds across the country, allowing them to showcase their knowledge and compete with like-minded peers.

Said Mohammed: “Making it to and competing in the Grand Finale on The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North campus felt good and exciting as I represented my school and Durban nationally. Thank you to my parents, teachers and friends who all contributed to my success. I am also grateful to my fellow contestants for making the quiz so competitive. I found out that they were wonderful people and smart when it comes to quizzes. I would like to encourage all learners who are interested in general knowledge to participate in the NHSQ quiz. It will broaden your knowledge and widen your horizons and the experience you will get from participating is unmatched and exceptional because of all the smart people you meet”.

When asked what the most challenging part of the NHSQ was, Mohammed said: “I found the type of questions asked in the Regional round challenging and complicated. I knew that if I wanted to succeed in the Grand Finale I had to prepare extensively and I became tense and stressed which really fuelled my preparation. In the end I enjoyed every bit of the quiz and the staff at The IIE’s Varsity College were excellent hosts and they reduced the stress”. 

Sources of information Mohammed used to prepare for the NHSQ included watching Al Jazeera News and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He also searched online for trivia questions and quizzes.

According to Cindy Christian (Dean: Faculty of Humanities The IIE’s Varsity College) individuals with a broad base of general knowledge can engage empathically with others, regardless of their cultural background. General knowledge of various topics allows for an increased awareness of one’s personal biases. Key interactions with loved ones, coupled with early exposure to a range of disciplines/fields/topics, serves as a segway into various opportunities. This allows for the development of critical, analytical and abstract thinking skills.