Kwale High National School has staged a dramatic academic comeback after posting a mean score of 9.3 in the 2024 KCSE examinations, a sharp rise from last year’s 7.58.
The national school, located in Matuga sub-county, produced 5 As, 38 A-, 86 B+, 131 B, 98 B-, 45 C+, 9 C and 1 C-, ending a year-long dry spell without a single A and restoring its position as one of the Coast region’s top performers.
The results sparked celebrations across Kwale County, with parents, students and local leaders describing the performance as a major turning point.
“This is the Kwale High we have always known, focused, disciplined and hungry for excellence,” resident Ali Hamisi said.
The improved results also elevated the county’s academic profile, balancing last year’s spotlight that had been carried by Matuga Girls National School, which produced Kwale’s only A in 2023.
Matuga Girls also improved this year, registering 1 A, 9 A-, 35 B+, 63 B, 109 B-, 83 C+, 54 C, 23 C-, 15 D+, 1 D and 1 D-, with a mean score of 7.576, slightly up from 7.367.
Kwale High principal Mike Mutua linked the school’s remarkable turnaround to collective effort, reinforced discipline and a revived commitment to academic excellence.
“This success is not by chance. It is the result of teamwork and a clear focus on academic recovery,” Mutua said.
He said backing from the county government, expanded bursary programmes and improved school facilities had reduced the financial strain on parents and helped create a more conducive learning atmosphere.
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Mutua further noted that continued investment in rural and peri-urban schools was starting to yield visible results, saying that well-resourced and secure learning environments boost learners’ confidence and translate into stronger academic outcomes.
He said improved classrooms, modern learning materials and enhanced teacher support systems were giving students the stability they need to concentrate on their studies.
The principal added that when schools have adequate facilities ranging from laboratories to libraries, teachers are better able to deliver quality instruction, and learners become more motivated to excel.
Mutua emphasized that such gains must be sustained, urging both national and county governments to continue prioritizing education infrastructure, especially in less advantaged areas.
Deputy Principal in charge of Academics, Daniel Sakwa, linked the school’s improved performance to effective leadership and a renewed culture of discipline.
He said the absence of unrest, including strikes or arson incidents, had allowed learning to proceed uninterrupted.
“Our students have maintained high levels of discipline,” Sakwa said, noting that the peaceful atmosphere has enabled both teachers and learners to concentrate fully on academics.
School Board of Management chairperson Ali Gakweli said intensified mentorship initiatives, extra coaching sessions and focused academic interventions had helped uplift learners across all levels.
He noted that the school was nurturing a sustainable academic tradition grounded in diligence, dedication and disciplined conduct among students.
“We are establishing a culture that goes beyond one examination cycle. This is only the start,” Gakweli said.
By Shaban Omar
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