A total of 50 schools in Busia County are set to benefit from installation of solar energy in a move that aims to ensure regular supply of power in schools.
The project, which was initiated by the Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of the President, Arthur Osiya also aims at reducing the cost of electricity in schools.
Speaking during the installation of the solar panel at Eugene Masombo Primary and junior secondary school in Samia Sub County on Monday, the project coordinator Milton Maloba said the project will help to solve challenges in the safety of students and schools and reduce the cost of electricity.
“We have so far installed solar systems in 24 schools. We are targeting a total of 50 schools in the first phase of this project. Thereafter we will evaluate the impact of the project before we embark on the next project” he said.
Maloba added that the solar power installed has that capacity of lighting the whole school and help in water pumping.
“The system has a guarantee of 25 years and has the capacity to pump water from any level and also light the whole school. The community has asked about water which we are going to discuss and find the solution about it” he said.
Eugene Masombo primary and junior secondary school founder Eugene Masombo praised the project stating that it has provided a lasting solution to the security at the school.
“Electricity bills have been a big challenge to our school. We are grateful to this project because this is an assurance of full security to our school. The money we have been using to pay for electricity will now be converted to other work that will help to develop our school” he said.
He also called for intervention in the development of infrastructure and a teacher in the school which he said is still low.
“We are still struggling with the infrastructure which is not sufficient to the number of learners that we have. The other bigger challenge is teachers because the school has only five teachers and two teachers for JSS which is far from enough. We need a quick intervention to save situation” he said.
Cyrus Opiyo, BOM member of Wakhungu primary and junior secondary school stated that they have been paying a huge bill as a school and the solar will save them from the predicament.
“We have had challenges with our electricity bills. We have been paying up to shs.50,000 as electricity bills. This system is going to reduce the straining the school has been going through to pay the bills. This money will be converted to other projects” he said.
