Kumasi Sec. Tech. Advances to NSMQ One-Eighth Stage, Stalls St. Mary's Comeback Bid

Kumasi Secondary Technical School has booked their place in the One-Eighth Stage of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) after a hard-fought victory over St. Mary's SHS at the CNC Auditorium. The contest became tightly contested in its final rounds, but Kumasi's stronger finish proved decisive in claiming a 49–34 triumph and denying the Merries advancement in Ghana's premier secondary school science competition.

What made this contest particularly compelling was St. Mary's impressive comeback attempt. The Merries entered the closing stages significantly behind, having faced a seven-point deficit earlier in the competition. However, their performance in subsequent rounds demonstrated growing momentum, narrowing the gap to just three points—27–24—by the conclusion of Round Three. With the contest evidently heading toward a tense finale, St. Mary's appeared poised to mount a serious challenge in the final round.

The Decisive Final Round

The momentum swung decisively in Round Four, where the gulf in performance became unmistakable. Kumasi Sec. Tech. showcased their technical prowess by correctly answering three questions, whilst St. Mary's managed only one. This three-question advantage in the final round proved insurmountable, extending Kumasi's lead and ultimately settling the contest in their favour. Agona SHTS, the third competing school, concluded the contest with 24 points.

Beyond the main competition, Kumasi Sec. Tech. demonstrated their dominance by also winning the GOIL Riddle Bonanza, a special bonus round component of this year's NSMQ format. The Kumasi school's double victory underscores their comprehensive preparation and execution across multiple facets of the competition. Meanwhile, Agona SHTS earned recognition through the JuPay Clean Sheet award, which carries a cash prize component.

Why It Matters for Ghana's Academic Community

The NSMQ remains one of Ghana's most celebrated educational competitions, commanding significant national attention through broadcast partnerships and widespread sponsorship. The 2026 edition represents a continuation of this tradition, with production by Primetime Limited and backing from the Ghana Education Service alongside prominent corporate sponsors including Goil PLC, Prudential Life Insurance, and others.

For schools and students across Ghana, the NSMQ serves as both a showcase for academic excellence and a source of institutional pride. The pathway to the One-Eighth Stage, as demonstrated in this encounter, requires consistent performance across multiple rounds. St. Mary's SHS's late comeback attempt, whilst ultimately unsuccessful, reflects the competitive standard expected at Ghana's secondary school level and highlights how quickly fortunes can shift in knowledge-based competitions. The competition's broad sponsorship base and broadcast presence on platforms like JoyNews emphasise its role in promoting science and mathematics education nationally. As the 2026 edition progresses through its various stages, schools like Kumasi Sec. Tech. and the broader academic community continue to provide evidence of the sustained quality of Ghana's secondary education system.