KAMPALA, Uganda– Meritah Christian Junior School in Kiwanga, Namanve, was filled with joy and gratitude as the school held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the exceptional performance of its candidates in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). All 28 pupils who sat for the national examinations attained First Grade, marking a historic milestone for the school.
The thanksgiving service featured Bible readings, prayers, testimonies from pupils and parents, and words of encouragement from school leaders and invited guests. Speakers highlighted faith, discipline, hard work, prayer, and strong community support as the foundation of the school’s success.
School Director Mr. Ezra Ssemwanga expressed deep happiness and humility, describing the achievement as unprecedented in his teaching career. Quoting Psalm 106:1, he said, “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” He added, “This is the first time I have witnessed 100 percent First Grades. I sincerely thank the teachers and pupils for their discipline, and the parents for their unwavering support and hard work.”
Among the top performers was Wai Ateny, who scored an impressive aggregate of 9. He expressed gratitude to his parents and teachers and shared his ambition of becoming a doctor.
Another standout candidate, Acen Esther, who attained an outstanding aggregate of 5, attributed her success to faith and perseverance. “God is good,” she testified. “When the mock results were released, they were not very good. However, through prayer, fasting, hard work, and the supportive learning environment provided by the school, we were able to excel in the final examinations.”
During the service, a reading from Philippians 4:6–7 reminded pupils to present all their concerns to God through prayer and thanksgiving, trusting in His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Parents and learners were encouraged to always remember God’s faithfulness by reflecting on past challenges and victories, and by acknowledging how far He has brought them.
Speaking on behalf of the teaching staff, Teacher Deo, a P7 teacher, together with Madam Grace Kyokushaba, Head of Nursery, expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the strong performance, including pupils who joined the school later in their academic journey. They encouraged parents to enroll their children for holistic, Christ-centered education.
Parent Florence Oguti, who joined the school in 2018, appreciated the school administration for its compassion and support. “School fees had become a serious challenge for my son James, one of the 2025 candidates,” she said. “I am grateful for the bursary and the support that made this achievement possible.”
Another proud parent, Winnie Ssengendo, shared her joy over her children’s academic progress. “My son Marcus was not performing well before, but through God and prayer, he improved and scored aggregate 12. My daughter, Sanyu Martha, scored aggregate 10. I hope Marcus becomes an IT expert and Martha a lawyer,” she said.
The Guest of Honor, Edith Ntege, Head Teacher of Vision for Africa High School Nakifuma, delivered an encouraging message to parents and pupils. She urged parents to adequately support their children as they prepare to return to school after the long holiday and advised those whose children may not have performed as expected not to give up on them.
She encouraged vocational training and talent development and reminded P7 leavers transitioning to secondary school to prepare for the academic shift “from four subjects to thirteen.”
Parent Paul Mukasa emphasized the importance of teamwork among learners, encouraging unity and cooperation.
The thanksgiving service at Meritah Christian Junior School not only celebrated academic excellence but also reaffirmed the school’s commitment to nurturing disciplined, faith-filled, and holistic young leaders.
