Did you go to group of schools or the wealthy academies? Well, performance this year has shown that it doesn’t really matter as hard work is the quality that has defined the successful amidst the highly protected exams.
For the fourth consecutive year, pupils at Bridge have performed well in the KCPE exams, with results improving by the year.
Bridge International Academies are low income private schools in the country and mainly located in informal settlements.
Among those basking in glory is Meshack Mutinda of Bridge International School in Gicagi area of Kangemi in Nairobi, after garnering 420 marks.
Commenting on the KCPE results, Reuben Wambugu, Bridge International Academies’ Schools Director in Kenya said: “The results look positive for Bridge pupils for the 4th year running. We already have pupils scoring over 400 and 350 marks. We’re excited at what strong results mean for the pupils and their communities with many making it to the top high schools due to their top scores. It is encouraging to see the president’s commitment that all pupils will transition to secondary school.”
Just like most less privileged children in the slum areas, Mutinda has a story to tell, and it is one of determination and the daily struggles he undergoes to prepare his future.
Residing in deep slums of Kangemi, Mutinda is proof that with hard work discipline and determination anything can be achieved despite the challenges he confronts in his daily life.
He says his mother, who is a casual laborer, is his biggest motivation because “she has endured a lot of hardships to sustain me in school.”
“I am so happy that all my hard work has paid off and I now hope that this is an inspiration to all children from [Gicagi] that they can too do well,” said Mutinda, with a broad smile on his face.
Mutinda however, says his success wouldn’t have been a reality were it not for the support of his teachers and the (Bridge International School) which he refers to as his second home.
Jackie Walumbe, who manages the academies’ communications in Kenya said, “Performance of pupils attending Bridge continues to prove that with access to quality education, children can compete and excel in national exams despite their backgrounds.”
She was among officials from Bridge who were at their school in Kangemi, which was among those that produced top performers in this year’s KCPE.