ST JAMES, Jamaica – Cornwall College is alleging unfair treatment and bias against rural schools following the institution’s recent loss against Jamaica College in Television Jamaica’s School Challenge (SCQ) Quiz competition.

In a letter submitted to TVJ, the Montego Bay-based institution says the issue stems from a question in the buzzer section of the match.

“The quizmaster posed the question: ‘What two ratios constitute Young’s Modulus?’ Our team accurately responded with ‘stress and strain’, an answer that is universally recognised in physics and which was initially accepted as correct. However, following the conclusion of the match—when it became apparent that Cornwall College had emerged victorious—Jamaica College submitted an appeal contending that the answer lacked specificity,” the letter stated.

Cornwall went on to lose four points following the appeal against its answer, an action it describes as unjust and arbitrary.

The school has argued that if more specific wording was required, the question should have stated so. It also contends that the answer has been accepted during the long-running quiz competition before, in 2018.

Cornwall also said its coaches were treated differently from the coaches of Jamaica College which is based in the Corporate Area.

“Our coaches were repeatedly interrupted and rushed while presenting our case, in stark contrast to the treatment afforded to Jamaica College’s coaches, who were given ample time to advocate on behalf of their team,” the letter claimed.

The letter went on to describe what Cornwall says is a trend of discrimination against rural schools and called for a review of certain judging standards and judges.
The all-boys school says it is awaiting a response from Television Jamaica.