Thika: A growing wave of alumni stepping up to support their former schools is gaining momentum 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 provided a crucial lifeline to many public schools grappling with mounting fee arrears, increasing enrolment, and strained resources, even as the government enforces a 100 percent transition policy.
According to Kenya News Agency, one such case is Thika High School, where alumni have intervened to support needy students as the institution battles fee arrears exceeding Sh18 million. The school, which accommodates 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, commonly referred to as old boys, have established an education fund to assist learners at risk of dropping out, while also mobilizing resources to improve facilities.
During the school's 70th anniversary celebrations, Chief Principal Julius Muraya highlighted the persistent financial challenges due to unpaid fees, which have affected the institution's 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,' Muraya stated. 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 acknowledged the alumni's timely intervention, emphasizing that their support is instrumental in keeping vulnerable students in school while boosting infrastructure development. Leading the initiative, alumni representative Isaac Macharia expressed the former students' commitment 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 explained.
Dr. George Kamau, another alumnus, encouraged others across the country to emulate the initiative, noting that such efforts can significantly improve 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 remarked.