Day secondary schools in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, have recorded an impressive performance in the 2025 KCSE examinations released recently, outshining long-established academic giants.
Mariri Day Secondary School recorded notable gains, with 173 candidates attaining the recommended university entry grade, up from 165 students in the previous year.
Speaking to journalists, Thuranira Isaiah Ithula, the deputy principal in charge of administration at the school, attributed the success to sustained stakeholder support.
The school had a total candidature of 440 students, with those who did not attain the university grade qualifying to join TVET institutions, medical colleges and training colleges.
“We are overjoyed as Mariri community because of the results we have attained. I wish to thank our former principal, Beatrice Mutharimi, who was recently transferred, the Board of Management, and the office of our area MP Julius Taitumu for their support.
The school administration expressed optimism of taking over 200 learners to university come 2026 exams.
He noted that Mariri Day Secondary School receives the largest share of bursaries due to its high student population, adding that the support has helped keep learners in school, reduce absenteeism and maximise learning time.
He also acknowledged the support of a Catholic sisters’ group, Wirigiro, meaning hope, which sponsored 20 needy students who were unable to pay school fees.
On his part, William Ntoncene, a member of the School Board of Management, said the institution had consistently performed well over the past decade.
“For the last ten years, Mariri Day Secondary School has always had something to celebrate after KCSE results. The school has proven that the future of education lies in day secondary schools,” he said.
At Mwerongundu Day Secondary School, administrators also reported a remarkable improvement. Addressing journalists, the Deputy Principal, Sofia Mutuma said the school surpassed its performance target.
“We associate these results with learner discipline, effective time management and the commitment of our staff. We surpassed our target mean score of 6.3 by scoring 7.079, which is a positive deviation,” Mutuma said.
She thanked parents for their cooperation and acknowledged support from education stakeholders that ensured learners remained in school.
Elsewhere, Linjoka Day Secondary School recorded 26 university qualifiers, St. Mary’s Ntanki Day Secondary School improved from 164 qualifiers in 2024 to 272 in 2025, while Mwerongundu Day Secondary School rose from 54 university qualifiers in 2024 to 176 in the 2025 KCSE.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu commended principals, teachers and parents for the improved academic outcomes across the constituency.
“Last year, only 470 students from Igembe North qualified to join university. This year, more than 800 learners will be joining various universities across the country,” said Taitumu.
He noted that the number of university-qualified students has steadily increased over the three years of his leadership, attributing the progress to close collaboration among education stakeholders.
The MP said his office has prioritised funding for day secondary schools through bursaries, noting that Igembe North has only one extra-county school, namely Ntunene Girls High School.
The MP urged parents to focus on learners’ grades rather than the type of school attended, citing strong performances in day schools across the constituency.
He further revealed that the constituency is investing in science infrastructure, particularly in Ndoleli Sub-county, where schools previously lacked laboratories, noting that the fifth laboratory is currently under construction.
The 2025 KCSE results have firmly positioned day secondary schools in Igembe North as strong academic contenders, challenging long-held perceptions and redefining success in public day education.
By Dickson Mwiti
