Five years ago, the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) wasn't everyone's cup of tea. The competition had just roused itself from a two-year slumber during which it wasn't produced, but very few even noticed. Ever since, however, the NSMQ has grown in leaps and bounds, and is probably one of the most anticipated events among SHS students and the general public each year. Sammie Frimpong analyzes the reasons behind the sudden transformation of the NSMQ's fortunes.

MORE SCHOOLS

Not many years ago, the NSMQ featured no more than two schools per contest, and though such a format intensified exchanges between combatants, it also meant the competition had a limited reservoir of schools from which to draw participants. These days, however, it's a threesome that pits schools from all over the country -- big and small -- against each other. This all-inclusive feel and truly national character has appealed to many more than was the case in the days of two-school battles.

From a shallow pool of 32 schools the competition originally started with to the 135 that began fighting for glory this year, the NSMQ has indeed come a long way.

SHOCKS

With more schools (mostly those of a lower profile) now involved, the likelihood of the traditional elite getting occasionally bruised in the heat of battle has also increased. Gone are the days when Pope John SHS could only lose to fellow heavyweights; this year, unfancied Jachie Pramso accounted for them accounted for them even before they could reach the quarter-finals. The title may invariably end up with the big boys, but, really, who doesn't love a competition that offers the prospect of a good old upset?

SPONSORSHIP

Over the years, the NSMQ has been -- and indeed still is -- popularly known as the ‘Brilla’, in acknowledgement of its long-standing headline sponsor, the ‘Brilliant’ brand of soap distinct for its blue bar. But then came a time at the end of the noughties when, due to a perceived/real lack of funds, even ‘Brilliant’ couldn't prop the show up. With its resurrection, however, the competition has been able to attract lucrative sponsorship, bringing aboard the likes of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), oil and gas giants GOIL, and Prudential Life Insurance. The increased funding -- reflected in the improved, handsome prizes -- has breathed life anew into the NSMQ.

BRANDING

From only being a programme that, to the annoyance of many, occupied the state broadcaster’s Saturday morning 11am TV slot for decades and appealed only to nerds, the NSMQ now has its own website, social media accounts (more on that shortly), and a following that could only be attributed to proper branding it never enjoyed before its brief hiatus.

While it may not be overtaking Kumkum Bhagya anytime soon as the most popular show on Ghanaian TV, the NSMQ is certainly holding its own now, thanks in part to a multi-faceted face-lift. The organizers are taking it a notch higher this year, with the final to be held at the iconic National Theatre, along with a maiden Science and Technology fair just before the climax.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The NSMQ's new-found popularity, without doubt, is mainly observed on social media. The show’s interactive social media accounts help in feeding the passion and interest of its 154,000-plus [Facebook] fans and 16,000-odd [Twitter] followers, while a freshly added boost -- live streaming of contests -- has even more hooked.

With old students buzzing with excitement on social media before and during contests, and also celebrating victories and trolling opponents/rivals afterwards, the NSMQ lacks not the ability to captivate, even if only for a few weeks each year.