KIGALI - The best student in the 2009 Ordinary Level exams, Kellen Neza from Riviera High school, attributed her excellent performance to constant prayers. 

"Receiving news that I am the best in the whole country is really by God’s grace and I can’t fail to thank him for this. I am extremely happy about my results,” revealed a joyous Neza in a telephone interview with The New Times

Neza, 16, who stays with her parents in Huye district advised the rest of the students, especially those in lower classes, to first assess themselves to know their strength and weaknesses, which, she says helped her a lot.

"It’s not always about following what others do, it’s better for someone to know themselves well, identify their strength and weaknesses on top of working hard,” she observed.

She also advised fellow students to always believe in themselves for positive results and work hard for them.

In an interview with Neza’s father, Dr. Daniel Rukazambuga Ntiruswa, a lecturer at the National University of Rwanda revealed that his daughter being the best in the country is the best news he has received in a long time.

"Being a good Christian, and the fact that she has been hard-working plus the good foundation of the school, are the factors responsible for her outstanding performance,” the dad said.

"All children are bright. What brings the difference in performance is the level of hard work and discipline. Seeing that my daughter was consistent in these two and they have paid off makes me extremely happy.”

When this paper contacted Julius Birungi the Deputy Principle in charge of academics at Riviera High School revealed that he wasn’t surprised at all when Neza emerged the best in the country.

"I have no surprises about Neza’s performance. She has always been a brilliant and well behaved girl. She has been consistent in her excellent performance in all her classes.”

"She is the kind of person you can call a genius, she doesn’t study much but scores highly and consistently. As a school we are extremely happy that the best student came from our school and it makes us proud,” he said.

Neza who is considering going back to pursue sciences in Riviera for her A level, was the first of the 19 students who got 7 distinctions. Jean Paul Iradukunda from Petit Seminaire came second while Nadia Mugisha from Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux was third overall.  

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