Accra Girls’ Senior High School’s hopes of maintaining their comeback momentum have been dashed after a 56 – 39 defeat to Tema Secondary School in the 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) preliminary contest.

Kanton Senior High School finished third with 21 points.

Despite the defeat, Accra Girls put up a spirited performance in the Problem of the Day, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10, while Tema Secondary and Kanton SHS followed closely with 9 points each.

Until 2024, Accra Girls had not qualified for the national championship since 2014. Their return last year was seen as a major breakthrough, as they reached the one-eighth stage before losing to Achimota School.

But this year’s contest told a different story. Tema Secondary School, often known for falling just short at the regional level, dominated from start to finish, outpacing the “Aim High” girls.

The result marks a statement victory for TEMASCO and a setback for Accra Girls, who must now regroup as their search for consistency on the national stage continues.