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Victoria Jepkoech’s father, Silas Suge, succumbed to cancer days before she sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam and many feared her hopes for good performance were dashed.

But in a rare show of resilience, Jepkoech emerged top in her school, Cheribisi Primary, in Emgwen, Nandi county, after she scored an impressive 412 out of the possible 500 marks. The school had 85 candidates.

An elated Jepkoech said she had hoped to score higher marks despite the tragedy, which befell the family from Kaplamai area.

“I thank God for the marks. I want to thank my teachers for the encouragement they offered in my difficult moments. I also want to thank my parents for encouraging me,” said Jepkoech.

She hoped to become a neurologist to assist her community.

But what was the secret behind her impressive performance, which has inspired hope in the region? “I was determined. I always dreamt about a lot of good things in life.  I was also very dedicated to my studies. At no time could you find me idling,” Jepkoech told People Daily in an interview.

According to Cheribisi head teacher Amos Chumba, there is a lot of cooperation between teachers, parents and support staff, which has seen the school, continue to post impressive results.

“Our learners are very hardworking and disciplined. Whenever they are guided, they follow our instructions to the letter,” said Chumba.

Chumba is among people who have been praised for the close-up bringing of the girl who was under depression after losing her dad.

An analysis of the school’s KCPE results shows that girls performed better than their male counterparts.

More than 20 candidates scored 400 marks and above.

Other top performers at the school included: Diana Jebet (411), Rency Chemutai (411), Delvin Jepkoech (409), Janet Jemurgor (408), Valary Jeptoo (406), Favian Kipleting (405) and Caren Jeptoo (405).

Meanwhile, the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) is also celebrating the exemplary performance of children, who have been rescued or orphaned and ended up under its care in various temporary places of safety.

Conducive environment

Out of the children under its care, 82 sat the KCPE examination at Nzoia Sugar Company Primary School while another 10 were in other primary schools.

Their top candidate, Samuel Wangila, scored 394 marks out 500, with 15 children others scoring over 360 marks.

They included Rebecca Abei from Usiokle TPS (391), Lewis Chege (Murang’a TPDS, 389), Martin Chege (Murang’a TPS 388), Samuel Wanjala ((Mombasa TPS, 380,) Kelvin Mwangi (Murang’a TPS, 379), John Muigai (Mama Ngina TPS 378), Alphonse Ouma (Mombasa TPS, 375),  Michele Nduta (Arap Moi RPS, 373), Dishon Kamau (Mama Ngina, 368).

“This is no mean feat, especially for these children who found themselves in difficult circumstances, but thanks to the intervention by CWSK, they were given a conducive environment to enable them do their best,” said Irene Mureithi, the CWSK Chief Executive Officer.

She said CWSK will continue to journey with the candidates as they pursue further education to ensure they fulfil their dreams, even as she encouraged those who did not emerge top and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in areas that you are best at.

“I thank all those who have partnered with us in ensuring the success of these candidates. I am confident that these candidates will join good secondary schools and that they will continue showing their prowess in education and also continue serving as an example to others who may be living in difficult circumstances,” she stated.

“Above all, I thank God who has given the grace to succeed in all our endeavours as CWSK. Your determination and perseverance has paid off. We congratulate and appreciate you for achieving such a significant milestone despite the challenges,” she added.

Impressive performance

Also, showing resilience against all odds to post impressive performance in the 2023 KCPE examination is Felister Tembu from the banditry prone Kagir village in Baringo North constituency.

Felister, whose father was killed by armed bandits, recently managed to score 370 marks at TopView Academy in Marigat.

She was under the scholarship of the school’s management.

Also basking in glory is Ian Lagat, from a poor background who warmed the hearts of Kenyans last year with his prowess in news reporting.

He highlighted how his parents were living in a one-bedroom grass thatched house with his siblings prompting Kenyans of goodwill to raise funds to build them a new house and new uniform.

The talented upcoming journalist did not disappoint after he scored an impressive 404 marks at Cheplelachbei primary school in Lessos, Nandi County in the exam.