PLE star performers reflect on their success

St Joseph’s star fell ill toward exams Nicholas Bayigamba, who sat PLE at St Joseph Primary School Kicukiro, Kigali, scored Aggregate 5 in 5. He wants to join Ndera Seminary School which he believes will shape his future. “I have grown up in a devoted Catholic family and I want to study from a seminary so that I get Catholic-based training and morals,” he said. Bayigamba’s dream is to become a doctor. His performance came as a surprise, however. “I can’t believe it because I sat the exams when I was sick. I remember my mum brought me past papers to revise but I told her to leave me alone,” he said. He attributes his good grades to his supportive parents and teachers. Bayigamba singled out his former Mathematics teacher for giving him self-confidence. His mother Scovia Katabarwa could not hide her excitement about her son’s performance. “He had been performing well right from baby class up to Primary Six but toward exams, he fell ill and I lost hope but God has made it for us via our son’s performance,” Katabarwa said. Hard work did it for me – Gisubizo It was a joyful Tuesday for Yves Gisubizo Semana when he heard good news about his success in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations. Gisubizo, 14, emerged the fourth at national level with Aggregate 5. His family lives in Burera District’s rural sector of Rusarabuye. Gisubizo attributes his success to hard work, parents and teacher’s encouragement as well as group work. “I am happy that I excelled, it is a result of hard work. My parents and teachers also played a big role towards my success,” he says. Gisubizo started primary school in his home area at Ecole Primaire Kabona before his parents transferred him to Wisdom Nursery and Primary School, where he completed his primary education. “I used to work hard revising all the subjects, I found some of them hard but kept working with my teachers and colleagues, it was until I sat exams that I thought I was ready,” he says. While on holidays, Gisubizo also sat exams to join a seminary. “I sat the exams and passed the same way I passed national exams. I have two options to choose from but would rather go for seminary because seminary schools perform well,” he says. Future plan Gisubizo’s dream is to become a doctor. He also wants to become a national leader. “Once I join a seminary school, I can become a priest but it is still too early to decide. My dream is to become a high profile leader in the future. I am committed to keeping the momentum even at O-Level until university, I am sure my courage and hard work will yield results.” Gisubizo’s advice for pupils is to be determined, respect everyone and work hard. His parents and teachers described him as a hard-working, bright and intelligent boy who dedicated his time to studies. “I am happy that my son excelled. I transferred him to this school to get the best education. That he emerged among best five is our family pride,” said Gisubizo’s father Viateur Harerimana. Umuraza not pleased with 11th position Joanah Gladys Umuraza, who emerged second best female student in the country and 11th overall wants to become a lawyer or pilot in the future. But the 13-year old former pupil of Kigali Parents School was not pleased with the results, though. Umuraza with her parents. (T. Nsengimana) “I was not happy because my dream and ambition was to be the best girl in the country,” she said. Umuraza hopes to achieve her dream position in O-Level to prove that even girls can do it. She attributed her success to love from her former teachers, parents and fellow pupils. She advised pupils to always be determined and focused. Being among the best is sweet, says Sangano Bruce Prince Sangano Cyeza, 13, from St Joseph Primary School in Kicukiro, said ‘being among the top 11 is sweet.” Sangano, who wants to become a pilot in the future, attributed his success to hard work, teachers, parents and God. Sangano and his father (T. Nsengimana) His parents, Léon Charles Kayibanda and Melanie Mukayisenga, said they couldn’t imagine their son could be among the top 11 countywide.

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PLE star performers reflect on their success