Holy Child School claims Central Regional NSMQ ticket after nail-biting tie-breaker with Mankessim

Holy Child School has secured its return to the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz Championship following a gripping performance at the Central Regional Qualifiers, where the Elmina-based institution defeated Mankessim Senior High Technical School in a tie-breaker that went down to the wire.

The contest was decided in dramatic fashion during the Riddles round, when both Holy Child and Mankessim finished level on points after a tightly contested battle across all competition segments. With momentum swinging back and forth throughout the afternoon, the two schools ultimately required a decisive tie-breaker question to separate them—which Holy Child answered correctly to secure their national berth.

A competition defined by shifting momentum

The Central Regional Qualifiers featured four schools competing for the coveted spot at nationals: Mankessim Senior High Technical School, Assin North SHTS, Academy of Christ the King, and Holy Child School. From the outset, it was clear that no single team would dominate the day.

Holy Child began strongly, finishing the opening round with 22 points, marginally ahead of Mankessim SHTS's 21. Assin North SHTS managed 15 points, whilst Academy of Christ the King recorded 9. However, this early advantage would prove fleeting.

The Speed Race round saw the momentum shift decisively. Mankessim SHTS and Holy Child engaged in a relentless back-and-forth, with both schools demonstrating quick reflexes and sharp knowledge. Mankessim eventually emerged from this segment with 28 points—just one point clear of Holy Child's 27—establishing what appeared to be a winning position heading into the closing rounds.

The True or False round extended Mankessim's lead further, taking them to 40 points, whilst Holy Child remained competitive at 38. Yet with two crucial rounds remaining, the outcome remained far from decided.

The tie-breaker that sent Holico back to nationals

The turning point came during the Riddles round, where the psychological battle intensified. Holy Child answered the opening riddle correctly, only for Mankessim to respond with the second, keeping the scores level. When Academy of Christ the King correctly answered the final riddle, both Holy Child and Mankessim found themselves level on points—forcing the unprecedented jump to a deciding question.

In that winner-takes-all moment, Holy Child held its composure and produced the correct answer, clinching qualification for the 2026 NSMQ Championship and ending a two-year absence from the national stage.

Why it matters for Ghana

The NSMQ remains one of West Africa's most prestigious secondary school competitions, serving as a launching pad for brilliant young minds in science and mathematics. Holy Child's return to nationals carries significance beyond the school itself. The competition has consistently identified and nurtured talent that goes on to excel at university level and beyond, contributing to Ghana's pool of skilled professionals in STEM fields.

The regional qualifiers are equally important as they demonstrate how intellectual competition is spreading across Ghana's educational landscape. With schools from diverse backgrounds competing at this level, the NSMQ continues to inspire excellence in secondary education across the country, particularly in regions like the Central Region.

As the 2026 championship approaches, Holy Child will have the opportunity to prove itself among Ghana's top-performing schools and potentially secure the honour that has eluded them in recent years.