NSMQ 2026: St. John’s Grammar stun seeded Mpraeso SHS to reach quarter-finals

St. John’s Grammar School produced the standout result of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) One-Eighth Stage, defeating seeded Mpraeso Senior High School to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Competing at the Main Auditorium, St. John’s Grammar School controlled the contest from the early stages and finished at the top of the standings with 43 points. Mpraeso SHS, which entered the event as the seeded school, ended with 23 points, while Tema Secondary School recorded 13.

The result represents a major setback for Mpraeso, who were aiming to protect their seeded position and continue their campaign. Instead, it was St. John’s Grammar School who claimed the place in the next round with a commanding display.

St. John’s established an early advantage in the opening round, scoring 28 points. Mpraeso SHS managed 16, while Tema Secondary School collected eight.

That lead grew in Round Two. St. John’s added 29 points, compared with 12 for Mpraeso and eight for Tema, putting the eventual winners firmly in control of the contest.

The Problem of the Day did little to alter the standings, with all three schools scoring 1/10. St. John’s nevertheless retained its significant advantage as the competition moved into the following rounds.

Their dominance continued in Round Three, where St. John’s Grammar School registered 30 points. Mpraeso scored 13 and Tema picked up nine, leaving the seeded school with a sizeable gap to close.

By the final round, St. John’s had effectively secured the outcome. The school added 40 points to complete the contest on 43, while Mpraeso finished on 23 and Tema on 13.

The victory sends St. John’s Grammar School through to the quarter-finals and ends Mpraeso SHS’s hopes of advancing from the stage. For Mpraeso, the contest had been centred on defending the seed they brought into the competition, but St. John’s Grammar School ultimately took their place in the last eight.

The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, with support from Goil Plc, Prudential Life Insurance, Pepsodent, Cowbell, Trustur AI, Jupay Money Transfer, Lumevax, GTP, SpinCITI Laundromat, Didi Jollof, Bel Beverages, Accra College of Medicine and Coronation Insurance.

The broadcast on JoyNews is sponsored by VitaMilk, Entrance University of Health Sciences and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Broadcast partners for the competition are Frutelli, Excellence Publications and Stationery, Didi Shito, Nataraj, Virtual Security Africa, Lef Signature Limited, Sintex Tank, Door Master, New Crystal Hospital, Palm University College, Ayuda, Prospectus Ghana Limited, Family Health University and Myst Water.