There was dance and celebrations at St Joseph’s Girls Kitale after it was listed as the second-most improved 2020 KCSE school countrywide.

The school posted a mean score of 9.95 from 6.7 the previous year.

The School Principal Rosabella Orwaru, teachers and members of the support staff were in high spirits after Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced the results on Monday.

With a class of 287 candidates, the extra-county girl school emerged top in Trans-Nzoia county.

Mrs Orwaru attributed early coverage of the syllabus and commitment to the victory.

“By March before the school closed down due to Covid-19, our students had covered most of the syllabus and had set a target,” Orwaru said.

She added that when schools reopened in January, the students embarked on revision work with teachers doing the supervision.

“Students and teachers worked as team and each of our students had set a goal for herself. This has enabled us to post a impressive results,” she said in an interview with People Daily.

The principal described the 2020 class as the most disciplined group.

“The 2020 class was the highly disciplined and above average and we have always advised our student that discipline is a wing to success in exams,” she added.

She said the performance has activated morale among the school community adding that they are now targeting a mean score of 10.5 in 2021.

Elsewhere, St Anthony Boys Kitale, another extra-county school in Trans–Nzoia county, also improved its mean score to 8.733 from 7.8 in 2019.

The school which had registered 385 candidates posted A 2, A-60, B+ 85, B 80, B-65,C+ 38,C 38, C-12 and D+2.

The School Principal Victor Makanda lauded the progressive improvement and attributed it to hard work between teachers and students.

“We are excited with the performance of our boys and we are now targeting a mean score of 10 next year,” Makanda said.

He promised that the school will continue to excel in both academics and sports.