- The school’s Chief Principal, William Kemei says that the longstanding partnership with the alumni group has significantly contributed to the growth, development and steady excellence of the institution.
- Owing to the popularity of Lenana School, a good number of young Kenyan boys dream to pursue their secondary school education there, and this calls for continued improvement and expansion of facilities.
- Due to their keen interest in the gradual improvement of the school, the Old Boys are represented in school governing bodies to offer their wealth of experience in relation to curriculum development, student welfare, and future of the Lenana School.
For many years, Lenana School has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for top performers in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
Started in 1926, after efforts to establish a medical school on the same location aborted, Lenana School’s history is tightly embedded in the journey that Kenya has travelled in about a hundred years.
The school boasts of robust alumni, with membership that is a galaxy of professionals of diverse experiences, domiciled in the country and elsewhere in the world.
Unlike in some schools where the alumni group play its roles from the periphery, Lenana School considers its former students as a catalyst of change and believes that it holds sway in the transformation of the school.
The Old Boys have not only continued to carry the school’s legacy into their own fields but also formed a structured way to give back to their alma mater and the broader society.
The school’s Chief Principal, William Kemei says that the longstanding partnership with the alumni group has significantly contributed to the growth, development and steady excellence of the institution.
“The relationship is a testimony of how a school community can work hand in hand with its alumni to achieve shared goals,” Kemei said during a recent meeting with the Board of Management (BoM) of Wajir School, which desires to have an equally vibrant old students association.
He said the Old Boys have been instrumental in shaping the vision, strategy and implementation of initiatives that continue to benefit current students, faculty and the larger school community.
The alumni collaborates with the management in various aspects including infrastructural development and facelift, mentorship and career guidance, fundraising and scholarships, governance and strategic input, and upholding the legacy and values espoused by the school.
“From modern classrooms to science labs and sports facilities, our Old Boys have been at the forefront in ensuring that students learn in an environment that is conducive to academic and personal growth,” Kemei said.
Owing to the popularity of Lenana School, a good number of young Kenyan boys dream to pursue their secondary school education there, and this calls for continued improvement and expansion of facilities.
“The contribution of the Old Boys has helped us keep pace with the evolving needs of education in the 21st century, notwithstanding the challenges of aging buildings,” the Principal said.
In the area of mentorship and career guidance, Kemei said the Old Boys had played an important role in the intellectual and personal development of students in the school.
“Regular mentorship programs, career talks and networking events allow students to interact with professionals who were once in their shoes,” he said.
These interactions inspire and guide students to think beyond the classroom, giving them real world perspectives that help in shaping their career aspirations.
He noted that former students who are leading successful career lives are the most effective role models of discipline, integrity and excellence.
While acknowledging that quality education was out of reach for some Kenyans, Kemei said Old Boys come in handy whenever they find a bright but needy student likely to lose his chance at the prestigious school.
“Through structured fundraising campaigns, they have ensured that Lenana School remains accessible to talented students from all walks of life,” he said.
Kemei added that many deserving students who face financial obstacles have been able to complete their education through such sustainable support.
“These efforts strengthen our social fabric and ensure that we maintain a diverse and inclusive student body,” he said.
The former students gather to reminisce and reconnect and get infused with a palpable energy, and the scholarships go a long way in transforming the lives of underprivileged students.
They also share their journeys, igniting hope in the hearts of young students, while emphasising the importance of community, urging current students to stay connected and support one another.
Due to their keen interest in the gradual improvement of the school, the Old Boys are represented in school governing bodies to offer their wealth of experience in relation to curriculum development, student welfare, and future of the Lenana School.
“Their input ensures that we remain a leading institution in both academic and extracurricular excellence,” Kemei said, adding that the Old Boys have also ensured that the legacy and values held dear by the institution are flown high.
“They help in upholding and transmitting the values that Lenana School holds dear, and this keeps alive the spirit of brotherhood, resilience and commitment to excellence that defines the school,” he said.
He rooted for a similar partnership between Wajir School and its alumni, indicating that the institution will reap similar fruits in the near future.
“The bond between a school and its former students is a powerful tool of progress. By harnessing the experience, resources, and networks of your Old Boys, you can create cyclic success whose benefits spill over to the wider community,” he said.
He reiterated that the strength of any school lies in its past, present and the connections it maintains with those who walked through its doors.
“We can build schools that not only educate but also inspire generations to come,” he said.
Over the years, forward-looking stakeholders in education have been encouraging the formation and active participation of alumni groups in giving back to the institutions that shaped their lives.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Rejuvenation evident as Kereri Girls High School alumni visit alma mater
Former Kibra MP Ken Okoth was quoted in the Future First Kenya magazine published in 2019 as saying, “Parents can’t do it alone. Teachers can’t do it alone. Alumni have to step up. Whether it’s giving your former school a tin of paint or serving on the School Board, it doesn’t matter how you give back, what is more important is that you do.”
Alumni associations in primary and secondary schools are not concretely recognised by the law, and sometimes members are seen as intruders in some institutions owing to lack of standardised rules of engagement.
Last year, two university graduates petitioned the National Assembly to amend the Basic Education Act (BEA)-2013, to provide for registration, regulation and recognition of alumni associations in basic education institutions.
