Govt settles NSMQ arrears, includes 53 more schools in competition
Govt settles NSMQ arrears, includes 53 more schools in competition
Govt settles NSMQ arrears, includes 53 more schools in competition
By: Abigail | 4 mins read
The Education Ministry has cleared the outstanding arrears owed to Primetime Limited, organisers of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ), from 2023 to date.
This was announced by the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, during a speech at the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS). The Ministry confirmed the disbursement in a statement released on Wednesday, October 8, issued by its Press Secretary, Hashim Haruna.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting science and mathematics education through consistent financial support and broader participation.
“The Ministry of Education has released an amount of GH¢9.5 million to Primetime Company to clear all the arrears owed to the organisers of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz competition,” the statement read.
The Ministry also announced that the competition will now include more schools.
“The number of schools in the competition has now been expanded to 177, up from 124 this year,” the statement added.
Background
The organisers of NSMQ on October 1 released the timetable for the competition, which included the launch and balloting set for October 7, as well as the preliminaries slated for October 13to 17.
Two days later, the one-eighth stage will kick off on October 19 to 21, and the quarter-finals will follow from October 23 to 25. The semi-finals will take off on October 27, and three days after, the crowning, that is the grand finale, where the champions will be announced, will follow.
However, CHASS, in response, announced its intention to boycott this year's competition, citing financial constraints. In a statement dated October 3 and signed by CHASS National Secretary Baro Primus, the organisation informed the quiz organisers that Ghanaian senior high schools will not participate in the balloting or subsequent stages of the 2025 National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ).
They said that many schools are unable to mobilise resources and prepare students. CHASS stated that the government funds meant for such activities have not been released.
“We regret to inform you that schools will not be able to participate in the balloting and subsequently the quiz competition due to non-availability of funds,” the letter read.
The association highlighted their willingness to rescind its decision should the government release the requisite funds and pledged to inform organisers accordingly. CHASS also apologised for any inconvenience this decision may cause.
The National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is an annual national quiz competition for senior high schools in Ghana, focusing on science and mathematics topics.
Since its inception in 1993, the NSMQ has grown from featuring 32 schools divided regionally into a nationwide competition with broad participation.
The competition is produced by Primetime Limited and is one of Ghana’s most celebrated academic programmes, promoting STEM education and academic excellence.
Past challenges have included funding lapses and interruptions. Between 2010 and 2011, the programme paused operations due to a lack of sponsorship.
In a thrilling showdown at the grand finale of the 2024 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), Mfantsipim School emerged victorious, narrowly edging out St. Augustine’s College by a single point to claim the prestigious trophy.
With a final score of 47 points to St. Augustine’s 46 points, Mfantsipim’s win marks their third NSMQ championship title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1999 and 2014.
The competition, held in Cape Coast, saw Mfantsipim School, St. Augustine’s College, and Keta Senior High Technical School (SHTS) go head-to-head in a tense five-round contest. Each round was filled with suspense as the three schools showcased their knowledge, agility, and composure under pressure.
The opening rounds established Mfantsipim and St. Augustine’s as front-runners, with both schools ending Round 1 tied at 24 points. However, Mfantsipim began to inch ahead in Round 2, scoring 31 points compared to St. Augustine’s 34 points and Keta SHTS’s 12 points. By Round 3, the “Problem of the Day,” St. Augustine’s led with 5 out of 10 points, while Keta SHTS and Mfantsipim followed with 4 and 3 points, respectively.
The gap between the top two contenders remained razor-thin through Round 4, where St. Augustine’s held a slight edge at 46 points to Mfantsipim’s 44 points, while Keta SHTS scored 26 points. Entering the final round, the stakes were high, and Mfantsipim managed to outscore St. Augustine’s by two points to secure the ultimate victory at 47 points.
Keta SHTS, despite a strong showing, concluded the contest with 32 points. The impressive performances from each school kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout, culminating in Mfantsipim’s historic win by a single point.
As the champions of the 2024 NSMQ, Mfantsipim School celebrates not only their intellectual prowess but also the resilience and determination that led them to claim their third NSMQ title. This remarkable victory adds another chapter to the school’s legacy in science and mathematics excellence, and they now proudly stand as three-time NSMQ champions.
