My presentation is on the usage and application of solar power panels to provide electricity. What I aim to investigate is how solar power installed in 3 schools will help improve the quality of education in Tanzania. The research involved 3 schools, located in Dar Es Salaam municipality. Mugabe Primary School Mashujaa Primary School Ubungo Primary School

Education system in Tanzania follows the sequence on the right. More than 50% of children in Tanzania, do not go beyond primary school level. Primary cause: by poor exam performance. My research main questions is “how would access to electricity change these outcomes?” Survey questions: s/SK9Z65M Nursery School (2yrs) Primary School (7 yrs) Secondary School (4 yrs) High School (2 yrs) University (3 yrs or more)

Aged between 12 years and 17 years All children live with parents or relatives. Out of 15 children interviewed, 12 live with electricity in their houses. Students interviewed are in Standard 6 and Standard 7

Their level of education is form four to form six plus teachers training. Most of the teachers have been teaching between 5 years and 33 years. They teach between 3 hours to 7 hours a day. Each class has an average of 50 students.

Absence of electricity in the classes is limiting students in several ways: 1. There is no availability of laboratories. Practical learning does not exist. Students like to learn with practice. 2. During rainy season (4 months every yr), it gets too dark in the classes. No lights available to help with reading during this time. 3. Because there is no lights in classes, students can not organize themselves for extra classes past 5pm. It gets too dark to read. Students unable to study past sunset 4. It is not easy to arrange for group discussions within the school compound after normal class hours.

As a result of the above, during classes most students are: Sleepy Tired Hot Uncomfortable Unhappy Poor performance

Sometimes it gets too dark to be able to read and write on the board. There is no fans in the classes, classes often become too hot. Because there is no electricity, teachers can not use teaching aids—radios, TV, projectors.

As a result of no electricity in classes, the following happens to teachers: 1. Teachers get sick from chalk dusts 2. Heat makes the teachers tired and sleep 3. It is difficult to teach to their full capacity without teaching aids. 4. Can not offer extra assistance to students after classes because of darkness.

 All the students repeatedly emphasized the importance of light during classes and after. They will be able to read before classes begin in the morning and after classes in the evening. They will be able to experiment what is being taught in classes using labs. They will be happy and comfortable during class hours. They will be able to use computers, radios, TV etc.

Not only will solar power enable to brighten the future of these young minds of Tanzania, but it has several advantages over other electricity. They have high net energy yield They can work on cloudy days Their installation is quick and easily expanded or moved. They have no CO2 emissions and low environmental impact They last for years, low land use and they reduce dependence on fossil fuels

In Tanzania, solar power information is available through TASEA Distribution of solar products by ENSOL.

For a class of 50 students to have… …..it will cost in Tshs Equivalent in USD 4 lights, a radio and charge phone 538, lights, radio and charge a phone 716, lights, radio and charge a phone 1,283, lights, radio, charge a phone & watch TV 14” 1,360, lights, radio, charge phone, watch TV 14” 1,721, lights, radio, charge phone and TV 21” 2,328, lights, radio, charge phone, TV and iron (30min) 7,425,

There is no doubt that provision of electricity in primary schools in Tanzania will improve the standard and quality of education. The results of the survey more than tell us so. Usage of solar is sustainable, affordable and environmentally friendly. See table on next slide. Long terms benefits of solar electricity in these schools to the society and economy include:  Prevention of early and childhood marriages (females who do not continue with secondary education are forced to get married early)  Reduction in drugs use and theft due to unemployment  Increase literacy will increase the economic status of the country (adult literacy)  There is more ongoing solar programs being funded for rural Tanzania  12/26/content_ htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter 12/26/content_ htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  Students and teachers have shown the willingness to contribute for the cause if the need ever arises.  The government is changing its role in education from being the key facilitator by encouraging investment in education.

Electricity sourceGenerating CostsEnvironmental CostsTotal Costs Wind – – 6.6 Geothermal (approx)5.8 Hydropower4.9 – – – 9.6 Natural Gas5.2 – – – 11.0 Biomass5.5 – – – 9.8 Nuclear5.9 – – – 12.7 Coal4.5 – – – 22.4 Solar Cells – 26.7

Limitations of solar power As seen on slide 12, initial costs if producing solar electricity are expensive. Solar power is expensive because in other forms of electricity, environmental costs are not included.  With increased research and development solar power will be able to produce 16% more electricity globally by 2040 than the 2% it is producing now.

questions and comments???

Living in the Environment – Concepts Connections and Solutions G. Miller and S. Spoolman. Tanzania National Website,accessed on 7 th June Exchange rate webiste, accesed on 7 th June 2010 Survey Monkey, accesed 7 th June