NSMQ 2026: St. John’s School Claims Historic First Ever Semi-final Berth!

Main Auditorium- August 31, 2026

St. John’s School has made history by securing its first-ever place in the Semi-final Stage of the National Championship, after soaring past Saviour SHS and Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS in a fiercely contested Quarter-final battle.

The contest began on an unusually shaky note, with all three schools struggling to find the right answers in the first round. The string of incorrect responses eventually drew a disappointed reaction from Quiz Mistress Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, who exclaimed.

 “Contestants, are the questions too difficult for you?”

Saviour SHS nevertheless managed to emerge from the opening round with the lead, scoring 14 points, while Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS had nine and St. John’s School trailed with eight.

The tables began to turn in the Truster AI Speed Race. Saviour SHS maintained its advantage, adding six points to reach 20, but St. John’s accelerated to 16. Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS remained with nine points, struggling to keep pace.

The Prudential Life Insurance NSMQ Problem of the Day then transformed the contest into a two-school battle. St. John’s School produced a strong show and earned eight points to jump to 24, matching Saviour, which added four points. Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS managed three points to move to 12.

St. John’s School finally seized control in the Jupay Money Transfer True/False Round and surged to 37 points, while Saviour added nine to reach 33. Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS also rose to 19.

For the first time in the contest, St. John’s School had created a cushion, and they would not surrender it. Round five provided the final opportunity. Saviour SHS attempted two riddles and missed. St. John’s School clinched those riddles and won the contest with 43 points, leaving Saviour SHS at 33.

 Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS also sovled two riddles and bowed out of the competition with 25 points. St. John’s School and Mfantsiman Girl’s SHS each won a cash prize of GH₵1000 from the GOIL Super Bonanza.

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

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

Saviour SHS: 14

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS: 09      

St John’s School: 08

Round Two (Truster AI Speed Race)

Saviour SHS: 20

St John’s School: 16

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS: 09    

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

Saviour SHS: +4 24

St John’s School: +8 24

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS: +3 12      

Round Four (Jupay Money Transfer True/False)                         

St John’s School: 37

Saviour SHS: 33

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS: 19      

Round Five (GOIL Super Bonanza)                                             

St John’s School: 43

Saviour SHS: 33

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS: 25    

The 2026 National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and 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.