Parents and students began arriving at Meru School as early as 6:00 a.m. today, hours before the official Grade 10 admission start time of 8:00 a.m., reflecting high demand and anxious anticipation. Despite the early crowds, many described the process as orderly and efficient, crediting the school’s admission system for minimizing queues and delays.
Several parents praised the experience. Rev. Miiru Murithi from Tharaka Nithi said he arrived at 6:00 a.m. to avoid long lines but found the process smooth once admissions began.
“I was worried I would get long queues if I delayed, but I’m happy there were none. Though the exercise started around 8:00 a.m., the process is so smooth, and I’m extremely happy with the admission system. I’m happy for my son joining Meru School, the school of his dream,” he said.
Margaret Gichina, who arrived at 7:00 a.m. with her son and his father, echoed the sentiment. “I’m very happy, in fact extremely happy. We have been attended to very fast, and now the boy is ready to go. I’m praying he performs well and makes us proud the way he did,” she said.
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Chief Principal Mwenda Rutere acknowledged the challenge of managing overwhelming demand, noting that more than 780 parents sought admission for their sons against the school’s capacity of 720 students.
He emphasized that the school is bound by Ministry of Education guidelines and can only admit learners selected through the official placement system. “Managing the high numbers of parents and guardians seeking a space is huge. Some may think we are refusing to offer their children a chance, but our hands are tied; the ministry has very clear guidelines. Only those selected through the ministry system are to be admitted,” Mr Rutere said.
Rutere added that the selection process, overseen by the Ministry of Education, can be difficult for some parents to understand, especially when demand exceeds available slots. He urged families to support their children regardless of the school they are placed in, stressing that dedication and hard work matter more than a school’s name or infrastructure. “Encourage your children wherever they are placed. Success depends on commitment, not just the institution,” he said.
By Jeff Mwangi
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