Nurture curiosity to learn, says quizmaster Pickbrain ahead of October 28-29 Times School Quiz finals

Muscat: The wait of schoolchildren for the popular Times of Oman/Al Shabiba Inter School Quiz is almost over. Come October 28-29, the finals of Oman’s most sought-after inter-school quiz event will be held at the City Amphitheatre, Qurum, and the man who would be conducting the English Quiz will be one of most loved quizmasters, Giri ‘Pickbrain’ Balasubramaniam.

The Times of Oman/ Al Shabiba Inter School Quiz is one of the largest and most popular educational events in Oman and there has been a huge interest among the quiz-loving students in the schools here.

Orbit Events is organising the event and to encourage maximum participation, it has offered mock question sets to the interested participants. Ahead of the event, renowned quizmaster Giri ‘Pickbrain’ Balasubramaniam spoke at length and said that “efforts should be made to nurture the curiosity to learn among students.”

Pickbrain has been the face of the Times of Oman Quiz for past many years and students look forward to interacting with him.
The forthcoming edition of the inter-school quiz will feature many international schools, Indian schools and Omani private bi-lingual schools. Excerpts of the interview with Giri ‘Pickbrain’ Balasubramaniam:

Q: Can we prepare for quizzes as we prepare for an exam?
A: Please don’t do that. A quiz is a fun activity that tests your awareness of what is happening in the world. If you read a newspaper, watch TV, are on the internet then that is enough to take part.

Q: How and what should they do to equip themselves with the knowledge required to win a quiz?
A: Taking part in itself is a form of starting a learning process. Never play a game to win, play to enjoy the game. Once a school or a child starts taking part you start improving and over time you win.

Q: It is generally believed that quiz is a game for toppers. Is that really so?
A: This is a common myth. In fact, in our decades of experience at hosting quiz shows, we find several students who are NOT necessarily toppers doing well at such shows. This is also because they tend to have more varied interests like sports, movies, gaming and spend a lot of time on the internet.  This actually helps them have a decent knowledge of the world, which comes handy at such quiz shows.

Q: With so many international and Omani schools participating, will the format and questions for the quiz being held in Oman be different?
A: Yes, absolutely. We fully understand that the sport of quizzing is new to the Omani schools. The rounds will be more like game show with aided questions. Most of the research is based on news items that appear in the newspaper. It is largely a current affairs based quiz, though a current incident can lead to a historical reference.  The entire quiz will also be in Arabic, hosted by a quizmaster who is from Oman, Faiz Al Mamari to ensure the children are comfortable with the language and accent.

Q: How does quizzing help students?
A: Quizzing is one of the best ways to develop curiosity among children. Curiosity is the fuel for innovation as it ignites the power of questioning. Quizzing is also a fun way to learn new things, be it about the world we live in or about your subjects at school. A quiz like this one, helps you comprehend the world we live in better.

Q: These days, when students apply to international colleges for higher education, they ask for several co-scholastic certificates. Does being an avid quizzer or a certificate of participation in a mega quiz event help?
A: Absolutely yes. In fact, students with such co-scholastic interests are preferred by universities across the world. Marks alone are not enough in the modern world we live in. Institutions in the higher education domain are looking for students who are versatile and can be problem solvers in a futuristic world. Aspects like quizzing interest are a big plus point on the profile of a child as it is indicative of a continuous learning interest and interest beyond their academic boundaries.

Q: As one of the most celebrated quizmasters, what advice do you give to schools, students and parents?
A: My advice is simple. As parents and educators, it is our duty to provide our children with as many learning experiences as possible and to provide them a wide horizon of perspectives through that learning. Let us accept one reality. The jobs of the future that our children will engage in, do not exist as on date. So, we must focus on the learning experience and nurture the curiosity to learn.

Q: Do you recommend that schools must have a Quiz Club? How would it help?
A: Surely, this is a great idea. Let me give an example. I was at a school in Singapore a few years ago and I spoke of how quiz clubs can help with nurturing of classroom learning, innovation, discussion on current trends and so on. The school took it up a little differently and started a ‘Curiosity Club’. Over time these students were discussing various topics and in two years they won many quizzes, just because the spectrum of knowledge had become wider.

Q: How has been your experience with the quizzes that you have conducted in Oman?
A: It is well documented that I have been overwhelmed with the talent I have seen at Oman. In fact, the Arabic language quiz in 2019 was also way higher in terms of competitiveness and speed of response than what we thought it would be. The other aspect is the way the quiz itself is organised like a Wimbledon. It just does not get bigger than this.

Q: Finally, what is your advice to the students?
A: Have fun and never miss an opportunity to have fun. This quiz is one such opportunity, so grab it and take part. Only two things happen, either you win and learn or you learn. The funny part is you don’t know how good you are until you take part. Either way you benefit and end up having fun.

PUCK are the presenters for this event. And it is supported by Zynova (Oman Pharma), Milano by Danube, AV Partners – AudioTech, Production Partners – Alphabetic Graphics, Water Partner – Oman Oasis – Mai Alkaline, Gift Partners – MRT Gifts, Print Partners – Mazzon Printing, Publishing & Packaging, Strategic Partners – Muscat College.