Matanda Community Day Secondary School, established in 2019 and registered under the Ministry of Education, is located in Machinga District in the Eastern Region of Malawi. The school serves 231 students and plays an important role in providing secondary education to learners in this rural community.
Project summary
THE NEED
The school has never had access to grid electricity, creating major challenges for both students and teachers. Without lighting, students cannot study at night or early in the morning, limiting their learning time and contributing to a pass rate of about 60%. Teachers also struggle to photocopy learning materials, and science lessons are limited because projectors and other digital learning tools cannot be used. School administration is also affected, as record keeping and communication become difficult without electricity.
The solution
To address these challenges, a 5.4 kWp solar power system supported by 15 kWh battery storage was installed at the school. The system provides reliable electricity for lighting, office equipment, and digital learning tools such as photocopiers and projectors.
Impact
With access to reliable solar power, students now have extended study hours, improving their learning environment. Teachers can prepare and reproduce teaching materials more efficiently and use digital tools to enhance lessons. The system has strengthened school operations and is expected to contribute to improved academic performance and better educational opportunities for the students. The school has become a safer and more accessible learning environment. This project contributes to SDGs 4 and 7.