MPANZA: School legacy matters in maintaining quality education

Pupils during a lesson./FILE

Across the region and around the world, educational institutions are under growing pressure to modernise by integrating artificial intelligence into teaching, shifting to competency-based models and keeping pace with evolving education standards.

This wave of technological and policy reform has demanded immense resources, as schools strive to secure a competitive edge or simply keep up with regulatory demands. Yet, amid this relentless drive for change, a defining factor continues to set the most successful schools apart: legacy.

An institution’s legacy goes beyond its years of existence. It is defined by academic excellence demonstrated through consistent, strong results, alongside a commitment to holistic education that nurtures character, leadership and extracurricular growth.

Legacy is also rooted in values and ethos, whether discipline, integrity, or faith-based principles that shape daily life in the institution. This combination not only makes a school successful but also embodies the very essence parents look for when choosing where to educate their children.

However, in the race to adapt to change, schools sometimes lose sight of what made them distinct in the first place. The pressure to adapt quickly can create unintended consequences across the education sector.

For instance, when institutions prioritise maintaining rankings or competitive positions above their founding principles, the results can be counterproductive.

A case in point is the rise in academic malpractice, where schools compromise integrity to secure top examination results. Such instances show how the pursuit of short-term wins can erode decades of hard-earned reputation and stakeholder trust.

Legacy is also reflected in long-standing traditions, whether through activities on the annual school calendar such as academic trips, sports festivals, or stories passed from one generation of learners to another.

The memories created through these activities live far beyond the school years, shaping careers, workplaces and communities. To preserve this culture, it is vital to engage alumni through structured programmes, guest speaking opportunities, or celebrating their milestones. By doing so, schools strengthen their sense of continuity and belonging.

As reforms and technology continue to reshape education, the essence of upholding legacy becomes even more critical. The question is not whether schools should evolve, but how.

The most successful institutions strike a balance between honouring the foundations that defined them and making thoughtful strides into the future. Safeguarding legacy does not mean resisting change as some traditions must evolve to remain meaningful.

Nevertheless, that evolution should always be anchored in core values, not short-term pressures. In this way, legacy serves as a compass that guides schools through an ever-changing educational landscape.

Legacy plays an even greater role in private education. Here, family traditions and alumni networks heavily influence parental choices. At the same time, private schools are constantly looking to expand, collaborate, or integrate into larger educational networks. Such aspirations often come with changes in ownership, administration, traditions, or even fee structures; all of which can threaten a school’s legacy if not carefully managed.

A 2022 World Bank report titled ‘Kenya: Can Scripted Schooling Improve Learning?’ highlights that clear routines and consistent practices improve student outcomes, even in contexts with limited resources. This reinforces the importance of legacy: established systems and enduring values provide the stability needed to maintain quality, even as schools modernise.

Having worked with an international private education provider for years, I have seen firsthand how legacy can be safeguarded during expansion. At ADvTECH Group, we approach growth with caution, ensuring that changes are implemented only after extensive consultations with all critical stakeholders. Similarly, when Makini Schools acquired Regis Academy in Runda, expansion was guided by respect for the institution’s ethos and the founder’s vision. This example demonstrates that expansion should not dilute identity but instead strengthen it by preserving a school’s values and traditions.

Legacy ensures continuity that reassures parents, inspires students and sustains excellence. As reforms accelerate, school leaders must ask themselves: What is the essence we cannot afford to lose? The answer to that question as well as how faithfully it is honoured, will determine the schools that remain trusted, relevant and impactful for generations.

The writer is Makini Schools regional managing director