By Angatia Leonard 
Cardinal Otunga Girls High School in Bungoma County, an extra-county school, has reclaimed its glory as a center of academic excellence. The school achieved an improved mean score of 8.3641 in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), up from 7.16 in 2023.
This remarkable performance places it among the most improved schools in Kenya.Out of the 412 candidates registered for the KCSE, an impressive 394 students secured university placements through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). This marks the highest number in the school’s history.
A Celebration of Hard Work
The exceptional results sparked celebrations among students, who broke into song and dance, expressing their pride in the school’s success.
Guided by the school’s virtues of integrity, hard work, sacrifice, and humility, the students continue to embrace their motto: “Challenge accepted, my future is guaranteed.”Despite the celebration, the school remains focused on achieving its long-term goal of a mean score of 9.5, emphasizing that there is still work to be done to reach this target.
Leadership and Support
The school’s senior principal, Mrs. Christine Sifuna, who took over in May 2023 from Keveye Girls, attributed the success to a strong team effort. She highlighted the school motto, “Like Eagles, we soar higher,” as a source of inspiration for the entire community. Upon her arrival, Mrs. Sifuna prioritized increasing the number of teachers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Through her efforts, the school now boasts 97 TSC teachers and 12 on a Board of Management (BOM) contract. This improved staffing has significantly enhanced teaching and learning.
Key Drivers of Success
The school attributes its performance to:
Teacher Unity: Collaboration among teachers ensures effective implementation of academic programs.
Student Dedication: A determined attitude among students fosters hard work and academic consultation.
Timely Syllabus Completion: Early syllabus coverage provided ample time for quality revision and intensive testing.
Discipline: A culture of discipline enables effective execution of academic programs.
Motivational speakers and renowned examiners frequently visit the school to mentor students and familiarize them with KNEC examination expectations.
Joint exams with top-performing schools further prepare students for success.
Looking Ahead
With a student population of 2,000, the school is already preparing its 560 candidates for the 2025 KCSE.
Entry exams, coordinated by the examinations office led by Mr. Masika Khaemba, have been conducted to assess and build their academic strengths.Mrs. Sifuna concluded by reaffirming her commitment to achieving the school’s set targets and further improving its performance in national examinations.
Joy Christine
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