Electricity for a primary school
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Authors
Annie Halliman
Issue Date
2016-04
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Energy
Alternative Title
Abstract
Obert Joseph (OJ) Ncube has been deputy headmaster of Mashaba Primary School for 20 years in the Gwanda district of Zimbabwe. There are 366 male and female pupils, 9 teachers, and 4 student teachers. OJ told us "we are not yet connected to the grid but electricity points and lighting have been installed so we are just waiting for the power station to come into service. There is a new requirement in the curriculum to introduce computers into primary schools so this is the first step. We do not yet have any computers, but would use dongles to access the internet when we have them. It is a challenge for teachers to keep on top of developments without access to a computer and there is a program that provides materials for teachers that we have to borrow from other schools in the area." When asked what he hopes for, OJ responded "we hope to benefit the community and also generate an income with a photocopier that we could charge at a small fee. We want to introduce computer/typing lessons so that children have more skills. A computer can suit any level of learning. " "Introducing light will mean that children can learn into the evening. Some children don’t come to school as they have to protect their livestock from wild animals during the day. It is a sad story that half the population has never even seen a tarmacked road.” Practical Action's Sustainable Energy 4 Rural Communities (SE4RC) project is providing access to modern energy services in poor and remote locations in Zimbabwe. Mashaba Solar Farm is a 99kw plant with 400 solar panels that supply 255 volts each. This plant supplies two irrigation schemes, a school, a clinic, business centers and energy kiosks. This is the largest off-grid solar plant in Zimbabwe. The total demand for the area is 450kw.