Use alumni to revive struggling schools
Jun 28, 2011
TODAY New Vision has kicked off a series of articles on struggling former academic giants. The project aims to revive and drum up support for Uganda’s forgotten former academic giants as they struggle to regain their glory.
TODAY New Vision has kicked off a series of articles on struggling former academic giants. The project aims to revive and drum up support for Uganda’s forgotten former academic giants as they struggle to regain their glory.
After a long time of operating on an under-funded budget, traditional secondary schools should copy Western schools that are exemplary at raising funds. A great way to raise funds to revive these schools is to call upon former students to give a hand. Every school should keep strong links with its former students, friends, and supporters.
The Development and Alumni Relations Office is the main point of contact for former students and friends who want to stay involved with, or support, their schools. But few schools have such an office let alone a database of the old students and what they do.
Schools which have been in existence for over 50 years, like most of these traditional struggling giants, have prominent old students in positions of power. This historical advantage should be used as a fundraising tool to raise money for rebuilding these schools.
With the competition posed by private schools, the introduction of UPE, USE, and Universal Advanced Education, traditional schools can no longer enjoy the care and comfort from the Government like it was in the past. They have to look out for their own survival means and these are the old students, parents and well-wishers.
Old students can be a great resource to a school, if properly utilised. By taking an interest in what alumni are doing even now, you can build relationships now that can benefit the school and its students for years to come.
Arthur Baguma Nsimomwe
abaguma@newvision.co.ug
After a long time of operating on an under-funded budget, traditional secondary schools should copy Western schools that are exemplary at raising funds. A great way to raise funds to revive these schools is to call upon former students to give a hand. Every school should keep strong links with its former students, friends, and supporters.
The Development and Alumni Relations Office is the main point of contact for former students and friends who want to stay involved with, or support, their schools. But few schools have such an office let alone a database of the old students and what they do.
Schools which have been in existence for over 50 years, like most of these traditional struggling giants, have prominent old students in positions of power. This historical advantage should be used as a fundraising tool to raise money for rebuilding these schools.
With the competition posed by private schools, the introduction of UPE, USE, and Universal Advanced Education, traditional schools can no longer enjoy the care and comfort from the Government like it was in the past. They have to look out for their own survival means and these are the old students, parents and well-wishers.
Old students can be a great resource to a school, if properly utilised. By taking an interest in what alumni are doing even now, you can build relationships now that can benefit the school and its students for years to come.
Arthur Baguma Nsimomwe
abaguma@newvision.co.ug