NSMQ 2026: Bright SHS Ends GSTS’s Run to Seal Historic Quarter-final Spot!

CNC Auditorium - August 28, 2026

Bright Senior High School, a private school from the Eastern Region, has secured its first-ever Quarter-final spot at the 2026 National Science & Maths Quiz after defeating Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) and Presby Senior High Technical School , Aburi.

The One-eighth Stage victory also earned Bright SHS a historic seeded status for next year’s competition, as well as a GH₵1,600 cash prize for winning the GOIL Riddle Bonanza. GSTS, the 2012 NSMQ champions, will lose its seeded status for next year’s competition.

The first of the day’s three One-eighth Stage contests at the CNC Auditorium was moderated by Quiz Mistress Mrs Rachel Annoh. Bright SHS took control of the contest in the final stages, finishing with 53 points to secure the quarter-final spot. GSTS ended on 40 points, while Presby SHTS finished with 25 points.

In the Round One, General Questions covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, GSTS led with 20 points, followed by Bright SHS with 18 points and Presby SHTS, Aburi, 15 points.

The Trustur AI Speed Race round, saw GSTS maintain its lead with 26 points, while Bright SHS stayed in close contention with 23 points, while Presby SHTS, Aburi slipped to 14 points.

GSTS further increased its lead in the Round Three, Prudential Life Insurance NSMQ Star (Problem of the Day), as they moved to 33 points. Bright SHS had 31 points, while Presby SHTS, Aburi ended the round with 21 points.

It was a moment of prayer for Bright SHS in the Fourth Round, who overturned the deficit for the first time, taking a slender lead with 41 points over GSTS’s 40 points, while Presby SHTS, Aburi improved to 25 points during the Jupay Money Transfer True/False round.

Round Five, GOIL Riddle Bonanza, saw Bright SHS’s seal their historic qualification in emphatic fashion, answering all four riddles and dominating the round to surge to 53 points. GSTS finished second with 40 points and Presby SHTS, Aburi with 25 points.

The result means Bright SHS has not only booked a quarter-final spot but has also become a seeded school for the National Championship of the NSMQ – the first in the private school’s history after three years in the competition.

Richmond Damoah, a contestant with Bright SHS, in a post-contest interview with the NSMQ Communications Team attributed the win to composure despite trailing GSTS in three consecutive rounds.

“When we realised that GSTS was leading all three rounds, we kept our cool because we knew the contest was not over and there were more rounds to go. We trusted our Lord very much,” he stated.

Richmond said the team felt no pressure even when the margin was just one point heading into the final round and is now focused on the ultimate prize.

“Our director will say fear is nothing. We put away any fear because we were well trained. Hard work complemented with the grace of God will send you far. We are aiming at going to the final and getting the trophy.”

Bright SHS Coordinator, Mr. Franklin Ebo Odum, could not contain his excitement and rolled on the floor in jubilation when his students answered the third riddle in the final round, a moment that sealed their historic victory.

Mr. Odum attributed the victory to hard work and tactical discipline, noting that the achievement means a lot to the school, expressing confidence about going even further in the competition.

“This is our first time getting to the quarter-final, this is our first seed. We have been in the game for three years and in our third year we have been able to make it. All I will say is that our strategies worked for us,” he said.

“This means a lot to us. I know we will bypass semi-finals too. We are going to the final straight away. I appreciate everyone for their support, their moral support, prayers and everything,” he added.

The Round-by-Round Scores for this contest stood as follows:

Round One General Questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)

GSTS                                           20 points

Presby SHTS, Aburi                   15 points

Bright SHS                                 18 points

Round Two (Trustur AI Speed Race)

GSTS                                           26 points

Bright SHS                                  23 points

Presby SHTS, Aburi                   14 points

Round Three Prudential Life Insurance NSMQ Star (Problem of the Day)    

GSTS                                          33 points

Bright SHS                        31 points

Presby SHTS, Aburi                  21 points

Round Four (Jupay Money Transfer True/False) 

Bright SHS                        41 points

GSTS                                         40 points

Presby SHTS, Aburi                  25 points

Round Five (GOIL Riddle Bonanza)

Bright SHS                               53 points

GSTS                                        40 points

Presby SHTS, Aburi                 25 points

The 2026 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service (GES), with support from GOIL PLC, Joy News, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Pepsodent, Cowbell, Trustur AI, Jupay Money Transfer, Lumevax, GTP, SpinCiti Laundromat, Didi Jollof, Bel Beverages, Accra College of Medicine, Coronation Insurance Ghana, Academic City University, Baldwin University College and YFM.