List of Former Top Schools Grappling with Academic Stagnation: 2023 KCSE Results
Once revered academic institutions that once dominated the educational landscape are now fading from the limelight. Newcomers and lesser-known schools have outshone these erstwhile academic powerhouses that enjoyed the spotlight during the era of grading top schools.
Blamed for their decline are factors such as poor management, local interference, and the admission of students with low entry marks for Form Ones. The recently released KCSE results on Monday painted a grim picture for many of these former academic elites.
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Nyanza region
In Nyanza, schools like Kisumu Girls’, Kisumu Boys’, Lwak Girls’, Sawagongo, St Mary’s Yala, and Ng’iya find themselves a mere shadow of their past selves, as the joy of improved results eluded them this time. While lesser-known schools reveled in their achievements, a noticeable silence enveloped these once-distinguished institutions.
Some schools even barred journalists from accessing their overall results. St Mary’s Yala, once a powerhouse, struggled to regain its former status, recording a mean score of 7.2.
Despite falling short of their target, Deputy Principal Julius Okoth remains optimistic, asserting that they acknowledge the authenticity of the results. Okoth expressed confidence in learning from past mistakes, vowing to rectify them and achieve better results in the future.
Once dominant academic institutions that once captivated the nation with their stellar performance are now fading from the limelight. In Kisumu, traditional rivals Kisumu Boys’ and Kisumu Girls‘ failed to showcase any improvement, a stark contrast to their past glory when their outstanding results brought the Central Business District to a standstill.
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However, amidst the muted atmosphere, Kisumu Day emerged as the beacon of celebration, achieving a mean score of 10.07, a notable increase from 7.76 in 2022. Principal Dan Mwaturo attributed their success to strenuous efforts.
Kisumu Boys’ posted a mean score of 7.2, joining the list of former top performers like Ramba Boys‘ (7.0), Sawagongo (7.6), and Ambira Boys‘ (7.31) who struggled to elevate their mean scores.
In Migori, Taranganya High School, once a traditional top performer, faced shock as their results were withheld.
Rift Valley region
In the Rift Valley, challenges such as admitting low-performing students during Form One intake, administrative shortcomings, interference by locals and politicians, and frequent leadership changes were blamed for the downfall of former academic giants.
Historically dominant schools like Lelmokwo, Kilibwoni, Kabiyet, Terige, Arnesens, Kapngetuny, Tambach, and Sing’ore Girls‘ have seen a decline in their academic prowess. Sing’ore Girls’, which surprised everyone in 2017 with a mean score of 9.69, dropped to 6.09 in 2023.
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Even national schools, including Nakuru Boys’ and Nakuru Girls‘, recorded declines in mean scores, with Nakuru Boys’ falling from 10.42 in 2022 to 8.45, and Nakuru Girls’ from 9.52 to 8.5.
Moi Forces Academy-Lanet also witnessed a drop from 8.4 in 2022 to 7.4 in the recently released results. The changing landscape of academic performance highlights the evolving challenges faced by once-prominent educational institutions.
Naivasha Girls’, renowned for its past successes, recorded a mean score of 7.0, a decline from 7.82 in 2022.
In Baringo, the prestige of extra-county schools like Kabarnet High School, Tenges Boys’, Kituro High School, and Pemwai Girls’ has waned. Kabarnet Boys’ witnessed a mean drop from 7.9 in 2022 to 6.5, with the school management opting for silence on the matter.
Historically rivaling Baringo High School, Kapropita Girls’ experienced a decrease in mean grade from 7.3 in 2022 to 7.1.
The recently released results reveal dwindling performances for schools like Lelmokwo (5.61), Arnesens (4.41), Terige (5.99), and Tambach (5.77). A teacher’s union official, speaking anonymously, pointed to historical challenges such as mismanagement, internal conflicts, and political interference as factors contributing to the stagnation in some of these schools.
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Western region
In Western, Chebuyusi Boys’ High School grapples to restore its former glory, as the school’s mean score plummeted from 7.01 (C+) to 4.78 (D+) in the latest exams.
“We will convene a staff meeting to address the unusual decline and strategize plans to restore our esteemed school to its former greatness,” stated the school head, Otieno Osore.
Another education giant, Kakamega High School, slightly decreased from a mean score of 8.23, trailing behind extra-county schools like Moi Girls’ Nangili (8.63) and St Peter’s Mumias (8.58).
David Sikulu, the school’s deputy in charge of academics, remarked that the results were consistent with previous years.
Musingu, once a formidable force, achieved a mean score of 6.58. The school, which used to outshine Maseno, Kakamega High, and Butere in its prime, was surpassed by Mukumu Girls’ (7.5), Samitsi Girls’ (7.37), Savilie Secondary (7.06), Mukumu Boys’ (6.9), among others.
Musingu alumni members expressed intentions to convene a meeting to devise a strategy to enhance the school’s performance.
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coastal region
In the coastal region, teachers and parent representatives of Dr. Aggrey School held closed-door meetings following a significant drop in the 2023 KCSE results. The school, which topped the Coast in 2022 with a mean grade of 8.9, is now facing challenges.
Shimo La Tewa High School in Mombasa seeks to reclaim its former prestige, as it was a popular choice from the 1960s to the 1980s, with more candidates qualifying for university admission, according to the recently released KCSE results.
Central region
In Nyeri County, several schools, including Nyeri High School, St Mary’s Boys (Nyeri), Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls’ High School, Kanjuri Boys’ High School, Karima Boys’ High School, Chinga Boys’ High School, Tumutumu Girls’ High School, and Mahiga Girls’ High School, maintained a low profile.
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List of Former Top Schools Grappling with Academic Stagnation: 2023 KCSE Results
