Ten schools from Eastern Province have been recognised for their academic improvement and achievement at the annual awards for excellence in education in Rwamagana district.The annual awarding event that was witnessed by the provincial governor, Odette Uwamariya, honours the top schools with certificates of merit in academic achievement.The certificate is awarded to primary and high schools that have experienced the fastest, most consistent improvement in their students’ academic performance.According to Uwamariya, the performance of the rewarded schools was consistently good for the last three years or so."The schools have been doing extremely well, appearing in the best two and dominating in the best 10 schools in the country. But, what excites us more is the fact that most of such schools are in remote areas. Look at Buhabwa School in the remote part of Kayonza district which had a 100 per cent pass rate and no single failure,” she said referring to performance in the science subjects.More than 100 educators from different schools attended the ceremony.According to Steven Byaruhanga, the headmaster of Buhabwa Secondary School, the recognition was an inspiration to school administrators and students.He said creating a successful academic environment in schools called for stakeholders’ total commitment, adding that there was no magic other than working hard."It does not matter whether a school is in a rural setting or urban... success depends on how a school’s staff operates. We manage each individual student character well, which is why we don’t have any failure,” he said, adding, "The certificate is a small thing but with great impact...it’s normally disheartening to serve without recognition or appreciation from the society.”Among the schools recognised are Newlife Primary and Secondary School in Kayonza, Buhabwa 9-year Basic Education School in Kayonza, Matimba Secondary School in Nyagatare and Maranyundo Girl’s School in Bugesera district. Others are Bright Academy in Nyagatare, Espoir De L’avenir, Bugesera, Cornerstone in Rwamagana, Karangazi SS, Nyagatare and College Adegi Gituza, Gatsibo