A growing wave of alumni stepping up to support their former schools is growing in the country, offering relief to vulnerable learners at risk of dropping out due to unpaid fees as well as bridging financial gaps in schools.
The initiative has offered a lifeline to many public schools grappling with mounting fee arrears, rising enrolment, and strained resources, even as the government enforces a 100 per cent transition policy.
One such case is Thika High School, where alumni have stepped in to support needy students as the institution battles fee arrears exceeding Sh18 million. The school, which has over 2,000 learners, many from informal settlements such as Kiandutu, Kiang’ombe, Madharau, and Gachagi, has for years struggled with unpaid fees and limited infrastructure.
The school’s former students, popularly known as old boys, have established an education kitty to assist learners at risk of dropping out, while also mobilising resources to improve facilities.
Speaking during the school’s 70th anniversary celebrations, Chief Principal Julius Muraya said the institution has faced persistent financial challenges due to unpaid fees, affecting its ability to run operations smoothly.
“For many years, the school has been burdened by unpaid fees arrears, now exceeding Sh18 million as per the 2023/2024 audited report, making it difficult to run effectively even as enrolment continues to rise,” said Muraya.
He noted that despite being a national school, Thika High continues to face shortages in key facilities, including classrooms, dormitories, and computer laboratories, due to financial constraints.
Muraya, however, lauded the alumni for stepping in at a critical time, saying their support is helping keep vulnerable students in school while boosting infrastructure development.
Leading the initiative, alumni representative Isaac Macharia said former students were committed to ensuring no learner misses out on education due to financial hardships.
“As alumni, we are giving back to support students in need and improve the learning environment. We have also begun renovating parts of the school to give it a state-of-the-art face,” he said.
Dr. George Kamau, another alumnus, urged others across the country to emulate the initiative, noting that such efforts can play a key role in improving retention and learning conditions in public schools.
“This should not just happen at this school. We want alumni associations across the country to borrow a leaf from us, because when former students return to support their schools, they can make a huge difference in improving infrastructure and keeping needy students in class,” Kamau said.
By Muoki Charles
