Tamale SHS dominates preliminary round, advances to NSMQ one-eighth stage

Tamale Secondary School has stormed into the one-eighth stage of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz after a dominant performance in the preliminary round, defeating sister schools Kalpohin SHS and Wenchi Methodist SHS with a final score of 68 points.

The competition began competitively, with Tamale SHS holding only a narrow two-point advantage over Kalpohin SHS after the opening round (19-17), whilst Wenchi Methodist trailed with nine points. However, the Lions steadily built momentum throughout the contest, eventually finishing 27 points clear of Kalpohin's 41-point total, with Wenchi Methodist claiming third place on 30 points.

Tamale's commanding second-half surge

The decisive shift came in Round Two, where Tamale SHS pulled away significantly, adding 18 points to reach 37, whilst Kalpohin managed only to reach 19 and Wenchi Methodist stayed on 11. This momentum continued through the remaining rounds, with Tamale SHS demonstrating consistent strength, particularly in Round Four where they produced their most impressive burst, adding 16 points to extend their lead to 21 points over Kalpohin.

Beyond their overall victory, Tamale SHS achieved a perfect score in the True or False segment, correctly answering all eight questions to claim the Jupay Clean Sheet Prize — a testament to their comprehensive knowledge across the competition's varied format.

What lies ahead for Tamale SHS

Whilst the preliminary round result represents an impressive achievement for the school, Tamale SHS now faces stiffer opposition as they advance to the one-eighth stage. The team will encounter stronger contenders in subsequent rounds, signalling that whilst their dominance in the preliminaries is noteworthy, the competition's difficulty level will increase substantially.

Why the NSMQ matters for Ghana

The National Science and Maths Quiz remains one of Ghana's most prestigious secondary school competitions, celebrating and promoting excellence in science and mathematics education. The quiz's competitive format — spanning multiple rounds with varying question types — tests students' breadth and depth of knowledge in critical subjects that are vital to Ghana's development in science, technology and innovation.

For schools like Tamale SHS, success in such national competitions enhances institutional reputation, motivates students to pursue careers in STEM fields, and contributes to raising the profile of science education across Ghana's secondary school sector. The competition attracts sponsorship and broadcast support from major Ghanaian companies including Goil Plc, Prudential Life Insurance and Pepsodent, underlining the business community's investment in educational excellence.

The 2026 edition, produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, continues this tradition of showcasing academic talent and promoting healthy intellectual competition amongst Ghana's top secondary schools.