NSMQ 2026 launched as 174 schools prepare for national championship

A total of 174 senior high schools will compete in the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), with the national championship returning to the University of Cape Coast.

The competition was officially launched in Accra, with organisers outlining the participating schools, competition format and preparations for the national championship.

Nana Akua Ankomah-Asare, Managing Director of Primetime Limited, organisers of the NSMQ, said the competition had become an important platform for promoting academic excellence, critical thinking, teamwork and confidence among students.

“The NSMQ has become more than a competition. It is a national platform that showcases the remarkable potential of Ghanaian students while inspiring communities, alumni, and traditional leaders to rally behind their schools,” she said.

The 174 participating schools comprise 107 that emerged from regional qualifiers, 27 seeded schools, five private schools and 36 top-performing runners-up.

Among the seeded schools are defending champions Mfantsipim School, 2025 finalists St Augustine's College and Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO), as well as Prempeh College, Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon), Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary, and Opoku Ware School.

The championship will also feature several schools making their maiden appearances at the national level. They include Mansoman SHS, Pentecost SHS, Koforidua Bepong SHS, Namo SHS, Dabala Senior High Technical School, Enyan Denkyira Senior High Technical School, T.I. Amantwa Drokwa SHS and Esase Bontefufuo Senior High Technical School.

“We are excited because the participation of new schools shows that the competition is growing and reaching institutions that previously believed the national stage was beyond their reach,” Nana Akua said.

Tamale Girls Senior High School will also return to the national championship for the first time since 2018.

Nana Akua said sponsorship challenges had affected preparations for the competition, resulting in the cancellation of the traditional Regional and Zonal Championships, which provided additional competitive preparation for some participating schools.

“Every long-standing programme has its moments of celebration and difficulty. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, we could not organise the Regional and Zonal Championships this year,” she said.

Representing the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Richard Nana Baffour-Awuah, Director for Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, reaffirmed the government's commitment to science and mathematics education.

He described the NSMQ as a national institution that had contributed to science education since its inception in 1993.

“The NSMQ is not simply about winning trophies. It is about igniting passion for STEM education, identifying academic talent, and inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers and innovators,” he stated.

Mr Baffour-Awuah said the competition aligned with the government's objective of equipping learners with 21st-century skills and preparing young people to address real-world challenges.

Preliminary fixtures released at the launch include contests involving St Gilbert SHS, Akwamuman SHS, Bimbilla SHS, Tamale Girls SHS, Kumasi Girls SHS, Kalpohin SHS, Labone SHS, Notre Dame Girls' SHS and T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS, among others.

Mr Baffour-Awuah urged contestants to approach the competition with integrity, confidence and sportsmanship.

“Winning is admirable, but the knowledge gained, friendships built and lessons learned remain the greatest rewards,” he said.

The 2026 NSMQ will bring together students from across the country to compete for the national title while promoting interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

GNA