Top PLE students owe success to parents

Three of the best ten students in the recently released Primary Leaving Examinations results, all attribute their exceptional performance to their parents help in their studies.

Sunday, January 22, 2012
Nancy Mutoni with her mother, Serafina Sifa, at their home in Kacyiru, yesterday. The Sunday Times / J. Mbanda.

Three of the best ten students in the recently released Primary Leaving Examinations results, all attribute their exceptional performance to their parents help in their studies.

Nancy Mutoni, 12, a former student of Kigali Parents School, says that she managed to get the excellent grades because her father used to help her with school work.

She got 5 aggregates and Maths was her best subject throughout primary school.

"My father was always helpful. He usually helped me with my homework and was always encouraging me to read. My mother too was always there for me but dad helped me a lot with my homework,” Mutoni said.

She got the good news of her being among the best 10 students countrywide on Friday evening.

Mutoni admires her dad, Colonel Emmanuel Bayingana, whom she says inspires her a lot.

Forming discussion groups and revising with her friends helped her a lot in achieving the excellent aggregates. She hopes to join Nu-Vision High School for her secondary education.

Her mother, Serafina Sifa, says her daughter is a fast learner and has been performing well since she begun school.

Solomon Mutagoma, 11, was a pupil at Good Foundation School, Remera. also registered 5 aggregates.

Like Nancy, Solomon also says that his parents helped him a lot in his studies by encouraging him to read and do his home work. His best subject is Maths.

Mutagoma says he loves studying and being the best so his efforts weren’t futile.

"I used to wake up at 3AM and read up to about 5AM, but I am glad that I have reaped well from what I sowed. I believe that this success has also come from God who I love so much and always pray to. I am even coming from church right now,” Mutagoma said.

He is inspired by Mr.Faustin Mpundu of PSF and wouldn’t mind being like him although his dream is to become a pilot in future. He called upon students not to waste time but rather read much, consult teachers, parents and always pray to God.

The Principal of Good Foundation, Aurelia Umutoni, says that Solomon is a self-driven, intelligent, disciplined, hardworking and God fearing boy.

She says that besides the good teachers, Solomon’s parents have also been very supportive in ensuring that their son always gets the best grades.

Solomon’s dad, Mr.Mwiza Mutagoma, stated that his son has always aspired to be the best in the country and therefore happy that he has achieved his cause.

He says that Solomon is self motivated and always reads his books without him being told to do so.

Erika Sonia Niyibizi, 12, is also formerly a pupil of Kigali Parents School and also scored aggregate 5.

Niyibizi says her father was always there to help her with her school work all the time.

"My dad used to help me with my homework and was very encouraging all the time, telling me that I can be the best and should believe in myself,” Niyibizi says.

She says that her best subjects are maths and science although she hasn’t yet decided what she wants to be in the future.

Niyibizi is also inspired by her mother, Vivianne Mukanyirigira Niyibizi, and her elder sister.

She called upon other students to always believe in themselves so they can be the best, even if the whole world doesn’t believe in them.

She hopes to join Excella for high school.

Maria.kaitesi@newtimes.co.rw