At St Martha’s Mwitoti Senior School,the mood is one of hope, confidence and expectation as 347 candidates prepare to sit their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, with their teachers believing they have what it takes to deliver an impressive performance.

For Principal Samuel Ogola and his team, the journey towards the examinations has been one of careful preparation, sacrifice and encouragement. Now, as the candidates approach the final stretch, the school is counting on them to turn months of hard work into good results.

Speaking during the candidates’ prayer day, Ogola said the school had completed the syllabus in May, giving learners adequate time for revision and further preparation.

The school also invited examiners to guide the candidates and organised a visit to a leading university to expose them to life beyond secondary school and inspire them to work towards their academic dreams.

With 347 candidates ready to face the examinations, Ogola expressed confidence in the work already done, urging the learners to remain focused and believe in their abilities.

“We have prepared them well. We want them to remain committed, focused and confident as they sit their examinations,” he said.

The school has set a mean score target of 7.5, but there is an even bigger dream: producing an A grade that has eluded the institution for years.

Director of Studies Ong’onga said the school had done its part in preparing the candidates and was hopeful that this year’s results would bring the long-awaited breakthrough.

He urged the learners not to allow fear or anxiety to stand in their way, reminding them that success would depend on their commitment, confidence and ability to put into practice what they had learnt.

For the candidates, the message from their teachers was not just about grades, but also about staying calm, maintaining discipline and making the most of the opportunity before them.

Deputy Principal in charge of Academics Grace Onyancha said she was proud of the girls’ progress and encouraged them to approach the examinations with confidence.

She also appealed to parents to give their children peace of mind during this crucial period, saying learners needed encouragement and understanding rather than unnecessary pressure.

Onyancha urged parents to create a supportive environment at home, allowing the candidates to concentrate on their examinations without distractions.

Deputy Principal in charge of Administration John Okata, meanwhile, praised the candidates for their discipline, noting that maintaining good conduct would be important as they completed their secondary school journey.

He reminded them that KCSE was an examination like any other and encouraged them not to be intimidated by it.

Okata also challenged the candidates to aim high, saying the school hoped to achieve 100 per cent transition to university.

As the examinations begin, the school’s leadership believes the candidates have the preparation and support needed to perform well.

The challenge now is for the 347 learners to remain focused, trust their preparation and deliver results that will reward their efforts, make their teachers proud and open doors to their future ambitions.

At St Martha’s Mwitoti, the hope is that this will be the year the long-awaited A grade finally becomes a reality.