Khadija Yunis Ahmed, 13, from Light Academy in Nyali scored 426 marks out of the possible 500 to emerge top student in the Coast region in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

Yunis emerged as the top candidate as private schools, led by Light Academy and Nyali Primary maintained their winning streak after producing top performers in the results released yesterday.

Yunis, who aspires to become a surgeon, could not hide her joy when she joined her colleagues and teachers in celebrating the record performance.

She now hopes to join Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayan High School. She attributed her success to hard work, support from her parents and a good relationship with her teachers.

“The motivation from teachers and my parents has made me to get these marks,” Yunis said.

Light Academy recorded a mean score of 400 marks up from 394 last year.

Deputy head teacher Rehema Swale said out of 33 candidates, 18 of them scored 400 marks and above.

“The school’s score improved from 394 to 400 meaning that we have performed exemplary. We attribute our success to the support from parents and discipline exhibited by the learners,” Swale said.

At Nyali School, Shawn Kinyua scored 419 marks to emerge the top student and second best in the coastal region.

Kinyua, 14, expressed joy, saying his dream is to join Alliance High School. Kinyua who aspires to become a businessman, showered praises on his father John Kinyua for his support. “It could not have happened without hard work, I slept late and I thank my parents because they gave me the support I needed. They could allow me to go for tuition classes and my teachers as well were very supportive,” he said.

His father said his son who had never topped in class pulled a surprise by excelling in KCPE.

Nyali School Principal Tony Ochieng said the institution has remained among the best performing in Coast, having produced the top student in the region in last year’s KCPE.

“We have remained among the top performers in the region. We have maintained good discipline and our parents and teachers are very keen on ensuring quality education is delivered. We are happy and pledge to continue delivering good results,” Ochieng noted.

Other best performing students included Antony Munywoki from Light Academy with 414 followed by Ahmed Abdul Nasser (413).

Others from Light Academy Nyali included Alma Kamere (412), Lexine Wakesho (411) and Jiana Keech and Phanice Makena with 410 marks respectively and Kayala Mwende who managed 402 marks.