Four schools from the Western Region, New Pathways Academy, Nana Katabra STMA “A” JHS, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, and Ahenemba International School have secured their spots in the national contest of the Junior Science and Maths Quiz (JSMQ). These schools outperformed 19 other competitors to qualify for the prestigious national contest, which will take place at the Great Hall, KNUST.

At the opening of the first contest, Mr. Adjei Franklin, the Basic School Coordinator for the Western Region, delivered a message of solidarity, encouraging students to embrace Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. He further urged the participating schools from the region to perform exceptionally in the quiz competition with the goal of bringing the championship trophy to the Western Region.

The Western Regional contest kicked off with intense competition from day one. Pentecost Preparatory School triumphed in the opening contest with 34 points, beating Greater Heights School, who scored 32 points, and Dunwell Methodist Academy, who pulled with 17 points. The next contest saw Woode Methodist JHS clinch a win with 21 points, while Hour of Grace Pentecost Academy scored 10. Airforce Complex Basic School dominated the third contest, emerging victorious with 38 points against St. John Paul II School’s 20 points and Fire Action Preparatory School’s 10 points.

Day two of the regional competition saw equally intense matchups. Nana Katabra STMA “A” JHS stole the show in their first contest, scoring 34 points to defeat Garrison Basic School (26 points) and End Time New Generation School (27 points). Western Command JHS secured a comfortable victory in the second contest with 41 points, leaving Anoe STMA Basic and St. Stephen’s Anglican School tied at 18 points each. The third contest resulted in an automatic qualification for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic J.H.S, as their competitors S.D.A School- ELUBO and Christ the King Methodist School were absent.

The regional finals were a true test of grit and intellect. New Pathways Academy clinched a well-deserved qualification with 54 points, beating Pentecost Preparatory and Woode Methodist JHS. Nana Katabra made headlines as a new entrant to the competition, securing their national spot with an impressive 59 points, beating seeded school Bedu Addo Methodist JHS and Airforce Complex Basic School. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School qualified for nationals with 40.5 points in another keenly contested round against Western Command JHS and Naval Base Basic School. Ahenemba International School ended the qualifiers by defeating Greater Heights School and End Time New Generation School  with a close 25 points.

These four schools from the Western Region are ready to compete on the national stage. They will be battling for the championship trophy, and the ultimate bragging rights in the 2024 Junior Science and Maths Quiz.