For the fourth consecutive year, pupils at Bridge International Academies (Bridge) are performing exceptionally well in the KCPE exams. They have proven that children from marginalised communities can compete with the wealthiest sections of Kenyan society.

As the KCPE marks are released initial results show that multiple Bridge pupils scored 400 marks and above; making them likely to be awarded places at elite national secondary schools. Hundreds are being recorded as scoring over 300.

So far, in Bridge Salgaa, Nakuru; Bridge Ngarariga, Kiambu and Bridge Paw Akuche, Kisumu every child scored 250 marks and above.

Bridge had nearly 4,000 candidates sit the 2018 KCPE, the highest number to date. The impressive results continue to show that technology and data driven interventions can lead to high performance of pupils from all parts of the country.

An excited 13-year-old Juarez Victoria Mara from Bridge, Lamu was ecstatic after finding out she scored 403 marks “My teachers have been understanding and supportive, I am happy I have made them proud with a great score. Now I want all girls in my community to go to school and succeed like me. I used to think the world was Lamu, but now I know there is a world outside and I want to discover it.”

Kalii Meshack Mutinda from Bridge, Gichagi, who is 13-years-old was extremely happy after hearing his score of 420 marks: “I am so happy, all my hard work has paid off. I have studied hard with the help of my wonderful teachers and now I hope this is an inspiration to all from Gichagi that they too can do well.”

Commenting on the early KCPE indications Reuben Wambugu, Bridge International Academies’ Schools Director in Kenya said:“For the fourth year running, the early KCPE indications are looking very positive for Bridge pupils. We already have pupils scoring 420 and over. We’re excited at what these strong results will mean for our pupils and their communities. The children have been studying hard with the support of their teachers and we’re confident of their success; proving once again that Bridge academies are places of life-changing education.”

Convener of the Kenyan Parliament Human Rights and SDG4 caucus and MP for Kibra, Ken Okoth, said, “In our country there is a shortage of good quality schools at pre-primary and primary level with high performing teachers. That is why so many families choose to use a non-formal school like Bridge. Everyone, government and parents, want to see children doing well in school, so we need to work together with organisations like Bridge who are increasing the number of children with access to quality education. The exam results that Bridge has achieved over the last four years confirms in my mind that it is vital Kenya continues to embrace high quality primary non formal schools like Bridge.”

The results are the latest in a string of higher learning gains being evidenced by Bridge, a social enterprise that was founded in Kenya.

The KCPE results released by the Kenyan Government follow on the heels of the exceptional learning gains released by the Liberian government and the recent DFID report in Nigeria.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Jackline Walumbe: Senior Public Relations Manager, Kenya
+254 731 018 460
+254 731 160 000

Notes to Editors:

Interviews, photos and case studies of KCPE available on request.

The Kenyan end of  primary school exams, or Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) are the compulsory national exams that all Kenyan pupils take at the end of Grade 8.  Independently administered by the Kenyan government, the KCPE is a high stakes standardised exam. The mark is entirely based on exam performance and does not comprise of teacher assessments or coursework.

• In total, over the last 4 years, over 12,000 pupils attending Bridge have sat for the KCPE.
• All pupils are eligible for secondary school, but the mark determines what type of secondary school.
• Previously the pass mark for the KCPE was 250 out of a possible 500. Pupils who scored over 200 marks are eligible for secondary school. The national average remains 250 marks.
• In 2018 a total of 3630 Bridge pupils, who had completed at least one full academic year with Bridge, sat the KCPE. This is the cohort that is reflected in this communication.
• Bridge has delivered consecutive learning gains in Kenya over multiple years. Bridge pupils have sat the KCPE in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
• Bridge operates in 44 (of 47) counties across Kenya and had pupils sit the KCPE from across those 44 counties.
• Bridge is proud to teach the 8-4-4 Kenyan curriculum and there’s no greater testimony to this than the good KCPE results it continues to register every year.
• The results add to an evidence base of learning gains that are growing every year. In October 2018, DFID published a report in Nigeria showing that parents education and income was not correlated to attainment at Bridge.

About Bridge International Academies:

Bridge believes every child has the right to high quality education and works in partnership with governments, communities, parents and teachers to run or support nearly a thousand schools. The social enterprise has empowered nearly 500,000 children with a life changing education in underserved communities across Africa and Asia.  

Bridge leverages in-depth teacher training and support, advanced lesson plans and wireless technology to provide pupils with a meaningful and life-changing education.

Globally, there is an education crisis. Around 263 million children and young people are not in school and the number of primary school aged children not in school is increasing. Bridge is committed to helping tackle this through a data driven, evidence based approach that delivers strong schools and a great education for all.

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