Garissa Academy has produced the best student in Garissa county.Former student Shamima Abas Mohamed, 16, was named the top student in the county.

She scored 407 marks.Yesterday, parents and students joined the schoolhead and teachers in celebration.A jovial Shamima praised her parents, teachers and her classmates for contributing to her success.

Shamima especially praised her parents for taking her to school.She said it had been a difficult journey to her success.

"It was not easy for me, especially being a girl from north eastern," said Shamima. "But thanks to the support and I got from everybody -- here I am today celebrating my good performance."

Her former classmates cheered her up.The former student said her first choice of secondary school was Alliance Girls. She said her dream is to be a neurosurgeon.

"We have very few doctors in north eastern, more so specialist doctors such as an neurosurgeon," said Shamima. "I would like to be one of the women neurosurgeons from this area."

She urged parents to educate their children, especially girls because that is the best gift parents can give to their children.Shamima's parents, Abbas Mohamed and Ambia Sorrow were excited with her performance.

The director of the school Ann Omondi said Shamima's good performance will encourage her former schoolmates, as well as parent to take their children to school.

Girls performed better than boys in last year's KCPE in Garissa county.