Tamale SHS, Anglican SHS, and Labone SHS Secure Slots in 2026 NSMQ One-Eighth Stage After Thrilling Preliminaries

The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) preliminary stage has seen a wave of intense competition, with several powerhouse schools and impressive newcomers securing their places in the one-eighth stage. Leading the pack with commanding performances, Anglican Senior High School in Kumasi and Tamale Senior High School recorded the highest scores of the round, amassing 69 and 68 points respectively. The "Lions of Tamale" dominated their match against Kalpohin SHS and Wenchi Methodist SHS, earning a Jupay Clean Sheet Prize for a perfect True or False round. Similarly, Anglican SHS cruised past Shama SHS and newcomer Namong SHTS, the latter of which earned praise for winning a Clean Sheet Award on their debut.

In contrast to the blowouts, several matches were decided by the narrowest of margins, providing some of the most emotional moments of the tournament so far. Labone Senior High School overcame Notre Dame Seminary SHS in a 41-39 thriller that left contestants in tears of relief after a late-round comeback. Winneba Secondary School also survived a close encounter, edging out Fijai SHS 44-42 in a contest that was tied as late as the third round. Meanwhile, Ofori Panin SHS (OPASS) staged a significant recovery against Mim SHS; despite trailing early, OPASS finished with 53 points to Mim's 42, though Mim remains a strong contender for a top-five runner-up spot.

The preliminary stage also highlighted regional strengths and redemption stories across the country. Kadjebi-Asato SHS from the Oti Region maintained their reputation with a 56-48 victory over Ahantaman Girls’ SHS, while Kumasi Girls’ SHS (AHEMAA) asserted their dominance in the Ashanti Region by defeating Osei Kyeretwie SHS (OKESS) 43-32. For Tema Secondary School (TEMASCO), a 42-point finish against St. Paul’s SHS and Tarkwa SHS marked a successful return to the one-eighth stage, washing away the disappointment of a premature exit in the previous year.

As the competition transitions to the one-eighth stage, the performance of debutants like Namong SHTS and Enyan Denkyira SHTS underscores the growing reach of the quiz. Produced by Primetime Limited and supported by the Ghana Education Service, Goil PLC, and JoyNews, the 2026 NSMQ continues to be a premier platform for academic excellence. With high-scoring winners and resilient runners-up like Mim SHS and Fijai SHS awaiting the final rankings, the upcoming rounds promise even higher stakes as the schools vie for the ultimate title in science and mathematics.