It was a heartbreaking end for St. Charles Minor Seminary and Manya Krobo SHS at the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), as both schools fell short in a fiercely contested preliminary-stage battle at the Main Auditorium.

Anum Presby SHS held its nerve to emerge victorious with 35 points, securing the coveted One-Eighth Stage ticket. St. Charles Minor Seminary finished a close second with 30 points, while Manya Krobo SHS ended the contest on 18 points.

The contest got off to a tense start, with Manya Krobo SHS and Anum Presby SHS level on 15 points after Round One, while St. Charles Minor Seminary remained within touching distance on 11 points.

The intensity rose in Round Two, the Speed Race, as Anum Presby SHS edged ahead with 19 points. St. Charles Minor Seminary followed closely with 16 points, while Manya Krobo SHS had 13 points.

St. Charles responded strongly in Round Three, taking the lead with 23 points, just one point ahead of Anum Presby SHS, which had 22 points. Manya Krobo SHS remained on 14 points.

The battle stayed on a knife-edge heading into Round Four, with Anum Presby SHS reclaiming the lead with 29 points, while St. Charles Minor Seminary remained hot on its heels with 27 points.

But Anum Presby SHS kept its composure in the final stretch, finishing on 35 points to secure the One-Eighth Stage ticket.

For St. Charles Minor Seminary, the narrow defeat was a painful one after mounting a strong challenge and briefly taking the lead in Round Three. The school eventually settled for 30 points.

Manya Krobo SHS also endured a difficult outing, finishing third with 18 points and bowing out of the competition.

Anum Presby SHS now advances to the One-Eighth Stage of the 2026 NSMQ, while the journey ends for both St. Charles Minor Seminary and Manya Krobo SHS.

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, Trustur AI, Jupay Money Transfer, Lumevax, GTP, SpinCITI Laundromat, Didi Jollof, Bel Beverages, Accra College of Medicine, Coronation Insurance and Academic City University.

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