New Principal Melkio Raruoch injects fresh confidence as 138 candidates burn the midnight oil in pursuit of academic glory in Kilifi County. At St. Teresa’s School Chonyi in Kilifi County, the race for academic excellence has entered a decisive phase.

With 138 candidates registered for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), the mixed day and boarding school has set its sights firmly on a mean score of 6.8, with an ambitious dream of breaking into the top 10 schools in Kilifi County.

The candidates are burning the midnight oil, determined to convert their hard work, discipline and resilience into a remarkable KCSE performance. The class enters the examination with a KCPE entry mean of 6.767, providing the school with a foundation upon which teachers and learners are building their 2026 academic campaign.

A NEW ERA UNDER PRINCIPAL MELKIO RARUOCH

The school's preparations have received a fresh boost following the arrival of Mr. Melkio Raruoch, a seasoned Chief Principal with decades of experience in education and extensive service along the Coast. Although only two weeks old at St. Teresa’s Chonyi, Mr. Raruoch has already embarked on an ambitious mission to inspire confidence among learners, teachers, parents, support staff, the Board of Governors and the wider community.

His immediate task is not merely to manage the institution, but to create a shared belief that the school can set and achieve higher academic standards. It is against this background that the new principal invited Mr. Malata Benson to conduct a two-day mentorship programme for the KCSE candidates.

The mentorship focused on effective study habits, proper utilisation of the remaining four weeks before the commencement of KCSE examinations, examination preparedness and strategies for remaining focused throughout the examination period. Mr. Malata also took the candidates through techniques of answering questions effectively in all the three Kiswahili papers, equipping them with practical approaches to handling the subject during the national examination.

AN ACTIVE AUDIENCE FROM 7.00AM TO 5.00PM

The discipline and concentration displayed by the candidates left a lasting impression on the facilitator. Mr. Malata Benson described the learners as an exceptionally attentive audience throughout the two-day engagement.

«“I am impressed with the discipline of the students throughout the two days. They were attentive right from 7.00am to 5.00pm without unnecessary movement in and outside the hall. They remained active without dozing; they wrote short notes, asked questions and answered the questions. Indeed, they were an active audience,” said Mr. Malata Benson.»

For a school chasing an ambitious target, such behaviour could prove significant. The remaining days require learners to maximise every available opportunity, identify gaps in their knowledge and convert classroom instruction into examination-ready competence.

DOS: THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL CLASS

The school's Director of Studies, Mr. Ondiek O. Erick, described the 2026 candidate class as exceptional, fairly good and promising. He challenged teachers to intensify their engagement with the candidates during the remaining preparation period through increased contact hours, regular assessment and evaluation, coupled with immediate feedback.

The objective is to ensure that every learner understands their strengths, identifies their weaknesses and receives timely intervention before the examination begins.

«“This class is promising and they will perform better than the previous class. The new Principal is supportive and with this we shall go far,” said Mr. Ondiek.»

His remarks capture the growing sense of optimism within the institution.