Top achievers eye STEM careers as public schools decry missing labs

Top-performing learners — including Alma Wanjiru — together with their teachers and parents at Lions Junior Secondary School celebrated after achieving impressive KJSEA results. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The top achievers in the inaugural Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams were all smiles on Friday as they reflected  the challenging journey they undertook to succeed.

While some studied under difficult conditions with limited resources, others admitted feeling uncertain about what the future held as they sat the exams. Most expressed a desire to pursue careers in STEM, while others leaned towards the arts, hoping to join their dream schools.

The situation was more challenging in public schools, where only a few students celebrated their success, with some teachers blaming the government for failing learners in these institutions.

In some public schools, learners said they had to study without laboratories and essential textbooks that were supposed to be provided by the government. Teachers, too, struggled with low morale, citing alleged mistreatment by the Teachers Service Commission.

This partly explains why many public schools appeared quiet, with only large padlocks on the gates as parents struggled to access their children’s results.

In Kakamega County, a small number of learners, teachers and parents gathered at their schools to review and celebrate individual student performances.

Tsajinah Achieng, a student at Mahiakhalo Primary School in Kakamega County, said that despite losing her father during the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), she managed to score 66 out of 72 points. Achieng, who also fell ill before the exams, said she worked hard in honour of her late father and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

“I faced many challenges, from my father’s death during the exam period to falling sick. However, I refused to give up and fought hard to pass my exams in his honour. I want to study medicine because I excel in sciences,” she said.

No laboratory

Mahiakhalo Primary School headteacher, Nobert Ayoyi, added that all 234 students had to learn without a laboratory.

“It’s our first time doing KJSEA and despite the many challenges in science subjects, we managed to produce the best results,” said the headteacher.

At Kakamega Hill School, 15-year-old Eustace Mbasiru Muserah celebrated a remarkable achievement after scoring 77 points in the KJSEA.

The Kakamega County student emerged among the top performers nationally, describing his success as an unexpected Christmas gift. He hopes to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon, following in the footsteps of his father.“The results came as a surprise, especially with Christmas approaching. I admire my father’s work and hope to join Kapsabet Boys High School to continue my education before pursuing medicine and becoming a neurosurgeon,” he said.

His father, Nehemiah Mbasiru, expressed pride in his son’s dedication and hoped the placement process would allow him to join his preferred school to pursue his dream career.

“I am proud of his hard work and positivity. I hope he secures a spot in the school of his choice so he can stay focused on his career path,” he said.

Jimmy Odanga, who scored Exceeding Expectations in all subjects, described the achievement as the best feeling ever and promised to continue excelling, aiming to become a doctor.

Favour Bukosi was also among the top students who said that, despite challenges, they managed to make their parents proud. Hill School senior teacher Otiado Moses said that, as the first cohort to sit the KJSEA, they are delighted with the excellent performance.

At the Coast, Thomas Telford Juma, the top-performing candidate in Mombasa, scored an impressive 71 points in the inaugural KJSEA exams.

His remarkable achievement has drawn widespread praise, marking a key milestone in his academic journey.

Expressing his joy, Thomas said, “I am very excited with the results. My hard work has finally borne fruit.” He credited his success to diligent studying and the support he received from his school and teachers, who guided him throughout his preparations.

More progressive 

His father, Juma, reflected on their experience navigating the new education system. “It was a journey, but we received huge help from the school and teachers. Initially, we were a bit confused, but we eventually understood that this system is the best after the initial adjustment,” he said. He also commended the secondary school selection process introduced alongside the new curriculum.

“As a parent, I applaud the new system, which allows us to choose schools based on the individual strengths of our children. It’s a far cry from KCPE, which focused primarily on marks. The new system is more progressive and considers the overall performance and abilities of each student,” he said.

In the Rift Valley, Angela Chebet Koech, a student at ACK Holy Trinity Academy in Kericho, celebrated a remarkable achievement after scoring 72 points in the KJSEA results released yesterday. The 15-year-old from Kericho County emerged among the top performers nationally, describing her success as an unexpected Christmas gift. Chebet said the results strengthened her ambition to follow in the footsteps of her father, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kiprono Koech.

Jeremy Karanu, who scored 68 points, described the exams as a challenging journey that was made manageable thanks to the rigorous preparation provided by his school.

“The exam was tough, and there were times we feared it might be even more demanding than KCPE,” he admitted. “But I was elated when I received my results, which eased all my fears that the new system was nearly impossible to succeed in.”

Nia Mwafondo, who scored 70 points, credited her success to meticulous preparation, support from teachers, and disciplined study routines.

“We invested in preparations, participated in study groups organised by our teachers, and relied on core and supplementary texts to prepare intensively,” she explained.

Private schools in Nakuru and Baringo counties continued to uphold strong academic traditions under the new curriculum. At St Peters Elite School in Gilgil, more than 30 of the 120 candidates scored 70 points and above, with top performers, Faith Nyambura, Eddy Mukaya, Masoud Nderitu, Brenda Karimi, and Magdalene Mutheu, each attaining 72 points.

At Sacho Junior School, over 20 learners Exceeded Expectations (EE1), 84 scored EE2, 35 scored E1, and 17 achieved E2. Deputy headteacher Haron Thuo said the performance exceeded expectations, while principal Malowa Malowa praised the cohort for demonstrating hard work, perseverance, and positive attitude.

At Lions Junior Secondary School in Nakuru, Alma Wanjiru scored 71 points, citing science, mathematics, and sports as her strongest subjects, and expressed hope of joining Kenya High School to pursue aerospace engineering. Stacy Kadenyi, who scored 70 points, aims to become a neurosurgeon.

Parent Naomi Kamau described the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system as a “three-stone stove,” requiring cooperation among teachers, parents, and learners. Lions Nakuru Principal Phanuel Imbusi called CBE a game-changer.

In Mount Kenya, many public schools were still analyzing results even as private academies posted strong performances. At Emmanuel Academy, Kangari, Technology, and Kibutha Primary Schools, parents flocked to celebrate learners’ achievements.

At Technology Primary School in Murang’a town, headteacher Beatrice Wachira said the 162 JSS candidates were well prepared, with top performers Angeline Wanjiku (70), Achilles Hazen (70), Bettirose Wairimu (72), and David Wang’ang’a (70).

Report by Ishaq Jumbe, Julius Chepkwony, Benard Lusigi, Anne Atieno, James Omoro, Amos Kiarie, Yvonne Chepkwony, Jane Mugambi, Boniface Gikandi, Isaiah Gwengi and James Omoro