St. Louis Senior High School has secured a place at the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) national championship. The Kumasi-based school achieved this after a remarkable comeback victory in Contest Two of the Ashanti Regional Qualifiers.
The school recovered from an early deficit to finish with 53 points. This score sealed their automatic qualification after a closely contested battle. Several schools held the lead at different stages during the competition.
This achievement is significant for St. Louis SHS, marking their return to the national stage. The school narrowly missed out on the 2025 championship, having been eliminated during the regional qualifiers. Their consistent participation and ambition reflect the high academic standards and competitive spirit prevalent in Ghana's secondary education system.
The team's coach expressed gratitude for the victory but admitted they had aimed for a larger winning margin. "We thank God for the victory, but we wanted a much bigger margin," the coach stated. "We know we can do better, and we'll work harder ahead of the national championship."
This victory means St. Louis SHS will now prepare for the national championship. They will aim to improve on their previous best performance, which was reaching the semi-finals in 2023. The NSMQ is Ghana's most prestigious academic quiz competition, attracting national attention and fostering academic excellence.
Jachie Pramso SHS finished second in the contest with 45 points. Kumasi Girls' SHS followed closely with 42 points. These schools remain in contention for qualification as potential best-performing losing schools. Their chances depend on how their scores compare with other non-winning schools across all regional qualifiers.
Esaase Bontefufuo Senior High Technical School scored 37 points in the same contest. Jacobu Senior High Technical School ended the competition with 15 points. The regional qualifiers are a crucial stage, determining which schools advance to the highly anticipated national event.
The NSMQ not only tests students' knowledge in science and mathematics but also promotes healthy academic rivalry among schools. Success in this competition often brings prestige and recognition to the participating institutions. The competition also inspires younger students to pursue STEM fields.
The momentum from this comeback victory will be crucial for St. Louis SHS as they prepare for the national championship. Their performance will be closely watched by alumni, students, and education enthusiasts across the country. The competition highlights the importance of academic rigor and strategic thinking in Ghana's educational landscape.