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Bungoma, Kenya : Students and teachers of Kipsis High School are celebrating Mt Elgon's first ever A since the inception of 8-4-4.
Eighteen-year-old Donald Wanyonyi, the second born of five siblings, made history in the school by getting straight As. Having come from a poor background, the school offered to pay his school fees using proceeds from the school canteen because he was bright.
The principal Josephine Chebonya said despite being a district school, the school's 2014 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results improved from 5.11 to 5.78.
“Scoring an A grade has been elusive in this region since the inception of 8-4-4 system of education. In our school, one student had an A, two scored B+, another two had B-, 12 scored C-, 17 D+ and one D. The student who scored an A is from a poor background and proceeds from the school canteen are what paid his fees,” said Ms Chebonya.
She said in the school, students learn under trees for lack of enough classrooms. What motivates them is the school motto, which states; Work as a team, sacrifice and be disciplined for excellent performance.
SCHOOL RANKING
"I was working hard for an A because when I joined Form One, I was told no one had ever gotten it. The journey has not been easy since we lost everything when our house was burnt down during the Saboat Land Defence Forces occupation. We also experience challenges of topography while some people just discourage you," said Wanyonyi.
Despite all these challenges, Wanyonyi said he was inspired by a lecturer from Kabianga University, who has encouraged him since primary school days.
The school does not have facilities such as laboratories or a library, so students are taught through demonstrations.
"We do not have the required facilities in practical lessons but we make it. Residents can only overcome challenges by working hard," Wanyonyi, who hopes to pursue medicine.
"Being ranked with well facilitated schools is unfair. Languages are also a very big challenge, students don't know how to express themselves, that is why getting an A has been elusive," said the school principal.
According to Cheptais District Education Officer Jacob Wanyama, poor transition from primary to secondary school is affected by vernacular, many students also drop out of school because of early pregnancy marriages.
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