Academic giants in Nyanza region power back to top of the pack

Parents and Teachers of Kisii School hold Rodney Ontieri shoulder high after he scored an A Plain of 84 points in KCSE. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] Nyanza's traditional academic giants were the region's top cream after recording exemplary results in last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam. This happened as some of the top schools that ruled the academic scene in the past failed to improve their mean scores. Maseno, Maranda, Mbita High School, Chemelil Academy and Rangala Girls' powered back to the top after recording impressive mean scores. However, little-known St Peter's Abwao Secondary posted a mean of 9.75 to defeat several top schools, including Kanga, Maseno and Maranda. Although most of the top students were not present in schools when results were released, teachers burst into celebrations after receiving their results. Chemelil Academy bounced back with exemplary results, registering a mean of 9.89 to become the top school in Kisumu County. Maseno, an academic powerhouse, posted a mean of 9.543 from 523 students who sat the exam, with 36 students scoring straight As with 97 percent having attained university entry grades. Deputy Principal Peter Nyawach said the school performed well in sciences and attributed the achievement to dedication and sheer hard work of students and teachers. The top candidate at Maseno, Okoth Enock, scored A plain of 84 points. In Siaya, Rangala Girls', once a national academic giant, scored a mean of 9.08, up from 8.215 it recorded in 2022. Maranda High School, another top performer, attained a mean grade of 9.57 to continue with its trend of good performances. In the Gusii region, several schools were in an upbeat mood after recording good performances. Nyabururu National Girls' School had 611 candidates scoring C+ (plus) and above, with C- (minus) as the lowest grade achieved. The school had registered 702 candidates. School Chief Principal Joyce Orioki said the results were an improvement. "We registered a high number of candidates but still we managed to give a positive result. There were issues with last year's exams but our students remained steadfast," she said. With 565 candidates, Kisii High School scored a mean of 8.95 with a 92 percent university entry grade. A total of 24 students scored A plan, 84 got an A- (minus), 113 B+ (plus), 127 scored B (plain), 109 B- (minus), and 64 C+ (plus). School Principal Fred Mogaka said the institution performed well despite the activities he said gave candidates and teachers unnecessary pressure. "We all have a role to play in making our schools stable academically and peaceful. The results we have received today are authentic," he said. Robert Nyasato, a father of Trevo Omwenga who got an A minus from Kisii High, said his son kept his word. "He kept the promise and retained his consistency in posting impressive results. He can now pursue a course of his choice with little guidance," he said. At Kiage Tumaini Boys' High School, all 33 students got B- (minus) and above. The school recorded a mean score of 9.745. School Manager Joseph Kiage said the performance was due to hard work and dedication from all stakeholders. "We had 33 entries, and we are proud that we have improved. Our students did well despite the pressure associated with the 2023 national examinations," he said. Sironga Girls' National School had a mean score of 8.01, with 461 candidates getting direct university entry grades. Eva Odhiambo, the school principal, said the school improved from the 2022 mean of 7.61. "We made it by God's grace. It wasn't easy, but with a team of dedicated teachers and parents, we managed to get a better mean." She said: "We have laid a religious ground for our students, and we have always mentored them towards being disciplined." At the Gerald Orina-led Riokindo Boys', the school managed a 7.611 mean score despite a last-minute fire scare at the school, just two weeks before the 2023 national examinations. According to Chief Principal Orina, the 467 candidates had all their revision materials burned down. "It was challenging, but we managed. This is a big success. We are laying a foundation for a better future. I am grateful that our candidates made it," he said. In Homa Bay County, Mbita High School and Orero High School are the top-performing schools in this year's KCSE results. Mbita High School posted a mean grade of 9.2689, with 16 students scoring A (plain). Those who got A- were 73, B+ (103), B (96), B- (94), C+ (38), C (3) and C- ( 1). Principal Kennedy Ojijo attributed their achievement to the early completion of the syllabus. He also attributed the excellent performance to cooperation among the Board of Management, parents, and students. Orero High School posted a mean of 9.2885. In the results, one student scored an A (plain), A- (58), B+ (149), B (186), B- (87), C+ (17), C (1). Principal Dickens Bula attributed the excellent performance to cooperation between the BoM, parents and students. It was, however, bad fortunes for some schools that appeared to have slipped. Former national academic powerhouse, St Joseph's Rapogi Boys High School scored a mean of 8.28. [Reports by Anne Atieno, Olivia Odhiambo, James Omoro and Eric Abuga]

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