Motivation of teachers and good work environment are the key drivers of academic excellence, Kenya Free Press can now reveal.
Recently released KCPE results by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi demystified the theory of success in national examinations, which had long been associated with exam fraud.
In the Lower Eastern Region, Makueni county has been ranked 3rd best in the country scoring a mean score of 267 while Machakos County is position 19 with a mean of 251 while Kitui county managed a mean of 233, ranked at position 33 out of the 47 counties.
But results of Kenya's most guarded KCPE ever have demonstrated that hard work, and not necessarily expensive cost of schooling, yields success.
Most pupils who performed quite well are from the public schools but most of them have been in the private schools.
For instance, Machakos Primary, a public day school in Machakos town produced one of the county's top candidate, Anita Mutheu who scored 422 marks out of a possible 500.
Mutheu's parents, both high school teachers at a local school opted to have her study at the public institution despite the fact that they could afford to sink lots of money in a private Academy.
The school, headed by Mr Musyoka Muindi produced over 10 candidates with over 400 marks, making it the best public primary school in Machakos county.
According to Mr Muindi, hard work and discipline among pupils and a highly motivated teaching staff as well as supportive parents is all that is needed for good results.
"To my teachers, I'm a colleague and not a boss. We engage each other with respect and also consult regularly with parents," said Mr Muindi.
Over 20 pupils are expected to join top national schools in January next year. Tala Township in Matungulu Sub County also produced some of the county’s best candidates in the public school category, according to the school’s head teacher Jonathan Muli.
Muli said more than ten pupils are expected to join national schools next year. But in the private schools category, several known giants fell while others maintained excellence in the national examination.
They include Kyandu Bright Academy in Kathiani, Ikombe Day and Boarding in Yatta, Kathiani ABC Academy and AIC Matheini in Matungulu.
In Ikombe Day, Lorna Kalondu scored 430 marks-the highest so far in the entire Machakos County.
Several other candidates from the little known school scored over 400 marks-effectively making it one of the best private schools in Machakos County.
In Kathiani ABC academy, 12-year old Nzesya Muuo scored 417 marks followed by Kioko Mutua with 411 marks.
"The exam was not very tough but i ask the candidates to always work hard and be determined in everything they do," said the soft spoken Muuo who wants to become a pilot later in life.
According to ABC Kathiani academy headteacher, Mr Joel Kitheka, this year's performance was better than last year where the school scored a mean of 355 against last year's 346 and they hope to break the record once again come next year.