Just in the recent past, alumni of Kaaga Girls High School in Meru County set a precedent by what they did to their former Principal — Gladys Gacheri Gichoga. The retired administrator, who is now a septuagenarian (between 70 to 79 years) received real honour for moulding more than 20,000 girls for around 27 years in school headship. While putting her on a pedestal, the old girls remembered her transformative leadership style, good governance, selfless service and strict streak.
Ideally, one thing that arrested my attention to that engrossing story was the fact that the grateful alumnae announced the launch of a mentorship programme targeting learners in that great girls’ school with rich history. As an educational consultant, I take note of the pivotal role played by alumnae (old girls) and alumni (both old girls and boys) in the development of schools. Actually, it all begins with serious mobilisation, which I see as a give-and-take thing. The school can organise a “meet-and-meat” or tea party. Then, invite a speaker like the weaver of these words to sensitise the old students on their crucial role. After proper mobilisation, they should steer clear on practical programmes and projects.
There is another classic case on role of alumni in schools. As I sit to weld these words, alumni of Alliance High School (Bush), have embarked on a Sh 229 million project to construct a multi-purpose hall and digital library as the school marks 99 years since its provenance on March 1, 1926 by Dr. John Arthur. The current construction site is for the main auditorium, which should accommodate 4,600 people. This will be of help to the school. More so, as they prepare to usher in all the 3 Career Pathways as a Senior School in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The whole hall will also be available for major events such as presidential debates and high-end Christian conferences. There is a theatre designed to accommodate 600 people.
Likewise, the digital library that is under development, will preserve the history of Alliance High School. Then, there is a grand plan to establish the ICT centre that will elevate the school to global standards. Funding of this great project is to come from all the key stakeholders, where the alumni are expected to contribute 50%, the school 40% and the sponsor or Church 10%. The four founding churches include: Church of Scotland Mission (now Presbyterian Church of East Africa), the Church of the Province of Kenya (now Anglican Church of Kenya), the African Inland Church and the Methodist Church in Kenya. They met on the Founder’s Day for special prayers and a fundraiser. The project described as a major milestone in the school history, is meant to improve the infrastructure and set a firm foundation for the next century.
Maybe, I can digress a bit. As a penman with a predilection for good grammar and its glamour, you will permit me to teach readers some commonly misused words in this context. Firstly, a former female student is an “alumna”. The plural form is “alumnae”. Secondly, a former male student is an “alumnus”. The plural form is “alumni”. It is also instructive to note. “Alumni” can be the plural form of both “alumna” and “alumnus”. Thirdly, your former school is the “alma mater”. It is also important to look up in the dictionary how those important words are pronounced.
Back to basics, old students can be sure sources of hope and help to their former schools only when they stand to understand the “concept of giving back”. There comes a time, in the arc of life, when we should remember the great institutions that moulded and mentored us. For such places are like stones where our hewing took place. In this regard, we remember the wise words of pantheon of sages: things we learn in cradle last to the tomb.
Largely, we should spare some time as individuals or through re-unions of old students, and give back by sharing money or giving in kind. Magnanimity means a lot. Such generous gestures work wonders. We can deploy our God-given abilities to build our former schools. For instance, in my case, as a consultant, the best way I give back to my great alma mater — Nyamninia Secondary School in Gem, Siaya County, is making sporadic visits to offer pro bono talks.
Meaning, we should give back to our schools because it is the best way to tap bountiful benefits as we attract favour factor from the One Above. Through giving back, we depict cardinal values of empathy, philanthropy and altruism. We support our schools because they are our sure sources of pride. They give us a sense of ownership and belonging. Conversely, I am acutely aware: Most schools find it hard to bring old students on board because they lack some practical mobilisation strategies. Yet, in these times and climes, of digital dispensation, old students can form WhatsApp groups based on the years they sat for KCSE. For instance, Nyamninia Class of 2009. Meaning, in case school arrowheads yearn to mobilise them, they reach out to leaders of every year. They can even reach to those who are far and wide through online sites such as Google Meet and Zoom Webinars.
In addition, before Form Fours leave the school to prepare for matriculation into tertiary institutions, the administration should ensure that there is a proper plug-out programme. In most cases, we are keen to plug-in newbies, but forget to release Form Fours in style. Yet, the way they leave the school, determine how they will think and talk about it once they walk out of the gate. It is important to throw a small party.
The staff should share a yummy meal with them. Prepare them for thrills and hills ahead. Both staff and students should ask for forgiveness for where they might have hurt each other. For in case they leave the school while harbouring bitterness, hatred, regret and grudges, somewhat, it may have a boomerang effect on the school. Therefore, the emotive point of parting ways should be rife with life and complete with celebration. It should never be the time of wearing long lugubrious faces like donkeys. For if this happens, whenever they remember the old home, they will always vow to break bonds or vandalize bridges.
Moreover, before they leave to cope with life out of school, it is important to pick all their contacts. The school should plan to update them on major events such as AGMs. They should elect their leaders. Those who have phones at home can start a WhatsApp group. In the whole scheme of things, programmes and projects form the central plank. Mentorship, sponsorship and scholarship, are part of the programmes old students can venture into with real zeal. Some of these things are not new. We have schools with old students who are supporting programmes such as talks and training of students. Old students also support capacity building and bonding programmes for staff. Some are generous enough to sponsor Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs). Old students with rich networks organise scholarships for students both locally and internationally.
Lastly, when schools are formulating, writing and reviewing their 5-year strategic plans, they should strive to involve old students. This can in turn open their eyes to start and implement important projects. After need-based-assessment, old students can build a dormitory, multi-purpose hall, ultra-modern library, state-of-the-art gate, or buy a bus for the school. Likewise, they can organise and mobilise others to embark on serious book donation programme as a way of cultivating rich reading culture in schools.
By Victor Ochieng’
The writer rolls out talks and training services. “Strong Alumni Mobilisation” is one of the topics he addresses in Principals’ Conferences. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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