Bawku Senior High Technical School (SHTS) has withdrawn from the 2025 Northern Zonal Championship of the NSMQ following renewed violence in the town that reportedly claimed six lives over the weekend.

The school had earned a historic qualification to the zonal stage after years of absence, but the resurgence of conflict in the area has forced a heartbreaking decision to pull out of the competition, which is currently underway in Tamale.

Checks with NSMQ organisers revealed the school was unable to travel due to ongoing security concerns in Bawku, where sporadic violence disrupted normalcy and raised fears of instability.

Bawku SHTS had qualified from the Upper East Region after beating Kanjarga Community SHS and Sirigu Integrated SHS in a tightly contested regional round, marking their first NSMQ zonal appearance since 2018. Their journey had drawn national attention, especially given the difficulties they faced in preparing for the contest amid longstanding conflict in the area.

Students had previously spoken about studying through gunfire, managing without key subject teachers, and forming peer study groups to stay academically afloat. Their qualification was seen as a beacon of resilience.