Motukana Primary School, located in the highlands of Navosa/Nadroga, approximately 120 kilometres from Sigatoka town, is set to receive solar lights and electricity supply.
With an enrollment of 85 students, the school is one of the beneficiaries of the Solar Rooftop project. Head of School Isimeli Druavesi expressed his gratitude to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for their support.
“Thanks to ISA’s assistance, the school now plans to introduce e-learning technologies for its students,” Druavesi stated. “We will establish a mini computer lab to help students and teachers connect with the global community and adopt modern teaching methods.”
Currently, the absence of lighting prevents the school from offering evening or extra classes. “Students in remote areas miss out on opportunities to enhance their literacy skills through evening classes,” Druavesi said.
“Proper lighting systems, made possible by electricity, help create a comfortable and safe learning environment, contributing to more engaging and productive learning sessions. This enables students to focus on their studies without distractions.”
Access to electricity allows schools to offer a broader range of online courses, virtual field trips, and collaborative projects, enriching students’ educational experiences and preparing them for success in an increasingly digital world, Druavesi added.
ISA’s program head for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Sandeep Kaur Singh, emphasized that the lack of electricity in remote schools contributes to educational inequality. “Bridging this gap can be achieved by implementing sustainable and reliable electricity solutions like solar power systems,” she remarked.
Through the ISA’s Solar Rooftop Project, solar panels will be installed on school buildings to generate electricity, ensuring that students have access to technology and benefit from a more modern, well-rounded education.
The initiative underscores the importance of improved infrastructure and resources for remote schools to provide all students with equal learning opportunities. Collaboration among the community, government, and stakeholders is essential to address the educational inequalities caused by a lack of electricity in remote schools.
Recently, consultants contracted by the ISA visited Motukana Primary School to conduct assessments and determine its solar energy requirements. They also gathered data on daily average hours of sunlight, the number of classrooms needing electricity, electrical equipment to be installed, and provisions for e-learning opportunities.