Meet the PhD holder who scored D+ in KCSE and now owns a company
Dr Silvanus Sewe’s story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the belief that academic performance in secondary school does not define one’s ultimate success. Despite scoring a D+ in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), he has forged an illustrious career and established himself as a leader in governance and risk management.
Silvanus sewe’s academic comeback
Dr Sewe began his educational journey in sagana, where he completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), achieving 59 out of 72 points. He then joined mwea boys high school in 1987. However, his secondary school journey was fraught with challenges, which he attributes to his low grades.
In Form Two, he experienced a fallout with the school principal, which led to him missing third-term classes. This setback contributed to his underwhelming KCSE results in 1990, where he attained a D+. For many students in Kenya, such a grade often signals the end of academic aspirations, but Dr Sewe refused to succumb to despair. Instead, he embarked on a remarkable academic comeback that spanned over 15 years and included obtaining more than 20 different certificates from various colleges in Nairobi.
The educational journey of Dr Silvanus Sewe
Dr Sewe holds a diverse portfolio of qualifications from renowned institutions. His academic achievements include:
- A certificate in inclusive leadership: The power of workplace diversity from the university of Colorado.
- An international certificate in enterprise risk management from the institute of Risk Management.
- A diploma in private investigations from the United Kingdom, which enabled him to play a pivotal role in shaping security curricula at various universities, including Egerton University.
- A bachelor’s degree in business information and technology from the university of Greenwich.
- A master’s degree in business administration (corporate management) from the Kenya college of accountancy (KCA) University.
- A doctorate in leadership and governance from Jomo kenyatta university of agriculture and technology (JKUAT).
A beacon of hope for D+ candidates
Dr Sewe’s inspiring journey serves as a beacon of hope for candidates who score low grades in KCSE. Despite the stigma often associated with poor academic performance, he has made remarkable strides in his career. He is currently the Founder and Director of Sewe International Limited, a firm specialising in governance and leadership.
Additionally, he is a lead consultant in governance and risk management. He has served as the chair of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Security Sector Board and as a member of the Governing Council. His contributions to constitutional reforms, particularly in reviewing and aligning security laws with the 2010 Constitution, have been instrumental in shaping the country’s governance framework.
Light at the end of the tunnel for D grade students
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Recent KCSE results in Kenya revealed that over 430,000 students scored Ds, while over 48,000 obtained Es in their final exams. However, these results need not be a death knell for their academic and professional aspirations.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) recently announced opportunities for students who scored D grades to explore their desired careers. According to KUCCPS:
- Artisan (Level 4) programmes are open to students with a KCSE mean grade of E.
- Craft (Level 5) programmes require a KCSE mean grade of D and above.
- Diploma (Level 6) programmes are open to students with a KCSE mean grade of C– and above.
- Degree programmes require a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ and above.
Dr Sewe’s journey is a powerful reminder that success is not solely determined by high school grades. With determination, resilience, and a willingness to pursue further education, students with lower grades can still achieve their dreams and make significant contributions to society.
