Organisers of NSMQ break silence on Anlo SHS, Kumasi High walk-off against Augusco

Primetime Limited, organisers of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has explained its decision to withdraw Anlo Senior High School (SHS) and Kumasi High School from Contest 9 of the One-eighth Stage of the 2026 competition following a walk-off by contestants from the two schools.

In a statement released on Friday, August 28, 2026, Primetime said the decision followed a disruption during the contest involving St Augustine’s College, Anlo SHS and Kumasi High School.

The incident began in Round One when St Augustine’s College raised a protest over the adjudication of a Biology question.

According to Primetime, the matter was referred to the relevant consultant for review. The consultant subsequently advised that St Augustine’s College be awarded partial marks because the question was from the school’s own set in Round One.

The decision was communicated by the Quiz Mistress at the end of Round Three but was challenged by officials of Anlo SHS, resulting in agitation and disruption in the auditorium.

To clarify the decision and restore calm, Primetime said the consultant was contacted and placed on speakerphone to explain the basis for the ruling. The contest then continued until the completion of Round Four.

Confusion rocks NSMQ 2026 as Anlo SHS, Kumasi High School leave stage for Augusco in round 4

However, the situation escalated again during Round Five when the first riddle was being asked.

Primetime said the coordinator of Anlo SHS and another teacher from the school began shouting and instructed their contestants to leave the stage.

Despite repeated appeals from the Production Team for the contestants to remain on stage and allow the contest to continue, the Anlo SHS contestants walked off.

A teacher from Kumasi High School subsequently instructed that school's contestants to also leave the stage, resulting in their withdrawal from the contest area.

Primetime said the actions violated the rules of the competition, which prohibit schools from directly communicating with contestants and substitutes during an ongoing contest.

The organisers noted that such a breach is grounds for a school to be withdrawn from the competition.

According to Primetime, the walk-off brought Contest 9 to an abrupt halt at a time when contests at other venues using the same set of questions had already been completed.

It said continuing the contest would therefore have compromised the integrity and fairness of the competition.

Primetime consequently withdrew both Anlo SHS and Kumasi High School from Contest 9.

St Augustine’s College, which remained on stage and was prepared to continue the contest, was declared the winner and will progress to the next stage of the 2026 NSMQ.

Primetime reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, discipline and the integrity of the competition, urging participating schools, teachers, coordinators and contestants to abide by the rules and procedures governing the NSMQ.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Primetime's Decision on walk-off by Anlo SHS and Kumasi High School Contestants during the One-eighth Stage Contest 9 involving St. Augustine’s College, Anlo SHS and Kumasi High Schoolhttps://t.co/EjLCnW14PA#NSMQ2026 #Primetime

— National Science & Maths Quiz (@NSMQGhana) August 28, 2026

AK/AM