Old Edwardians President Challenges Rivals: Develop Your School First

Old Edwardians President Challenges Rivals: Develop Your School First

The President of the Old Edwardians Association, Richard Hindolo Senesie, ignited a comprehensive discussion across social media and alumni networks by asserting that St. Edward’s Secondary School establishes the definitive standard for major school celebrations and effective alumni engagement within Sierra Leone.

During his appearance on Liberty Online TV on Monday morning, Senesie advocated for the enduring legacy and influence of the Old Edwardians community. His comments were a direct response to increasing comparisons among some of Sierra Leone’s leading secondary schools regarding institutional development, centenary observations, and the overall impact of their alumni.

Senesie contended that the planning and execution of the St. Edward’s centenary celebrations in 2022 served as a strategic template subsequently adopted and replicated by other institutions nationwide. He stated that other schools deployed teams to observe and replicate their comprehensive programs and activities, ranging from back-to-school initiatives to achieving unparalleled levels of crowd mobilization.

A pivotal moment in the interview occurred when Senesie challenged rival alumni organizations to prioritize the substantive improvement of their respective institutions before critiquing the Old Edwardians. He articulated this challenge succinctly in Krio, stating: “Una go make una school fos before una tok to we,” which emphasizes the need for institutional development prior to engagement. This assertion has revitalized the long-standing culture of competitive institutional pride among Sierra Leone’s historic secondary schools, notably between St. Edward’s Secondary School and Albert Academy. Both alumni associations have historically maintained visible roles in education, sports, leadership, and national public life.

Established in 1922, St. Edward’s Secondary School remains a highly influential educational institution, counting several prominent national figures among its graduates, including former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and other senior political, legal, and professional personalities. The Old Edwardians alumni network is widely recognized for its robust visibility through sports, education support initiatives, and institutional fundraising activities.

Conversely, Albert Academy, founded earlier in 1904, is also esteemed as a historic academic institution whose alumni frequently underscore the school’s contributions to national leadership and education.

In recent years, the rivalry between major school alumni groups has become particularly prominent on social media platforms, often centering on debates over academic records, infrastructure projects, commemorative events, music bands, and athletic achievements.

Analysts suggest that this competition, while frequently lighthearted, also highlights deeper concerns regarding alumni investment, school identity, and the efforts of historic institutions to maintain relevance amidst the evolving challenges facing Sierra Leone’s education sector.

Senesie’s remarks elicited diverse online reactions. While some Old Edwardians applauded his assertion of school loyalty and confidence, others proposed that institutional pride should be balanced with greater cooperation aimed at enhancing the country’s struggling education system overall.

These comments coincide with a period where numerous leading schools in Sierra Leone are actively pursuing anniversary projects, infrastructure revitalization, and alumni-led rebranding campaigns focused on regaining historical prestige and academic excellence.

Regardless of the resulting controversy, the interview reaffirmed the enduring emotional commitment Sierra Leoneans feel toward their former schools, institutions that continue to shape personal identity, loyalty, and public discourse well beyond graduation.