Government has rolled out a K1.7 billion project that seeks to electrify 45 community day secondary schools (CDSS) across the country and support income-generating initiatives in their localities.
Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima on Thursday launched the Belgium Electrical Energy from Schools (B-EES) project at Kaungwe CDSS in Dowa, the first beneficiary of the project.
Funded by a €700 000 (K1.4bn) grant from Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Export Financing Division (Finexpo) and €159 321 (K318.6bn) from the Walloon Region through Awex, the project aims to tackle electricity shortages in public schools.
“This project is not just about power,” she said. “It’s about productivity. It’s about giving our learners the tools to build their futures and creating a ripple effect of innovation and entrepreneurship in the communities.”
Through the project, Kaungwe has received a solar system as well as solar-powered cooking oil pressing factory. This will also be the case with the other beneficiaries.
Kaungwe CDSS now boasts a 4-kilowatt solar electricity system—transformational for a school that previously operated without any power.
“The factory is designed not only to serve nutrition needs but also to help schools generate income for maintenance and reinvestment,” said the minister.
Belgium ambassador to Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius Peter Huyghebaert highlighted the sustainability aspect of the project.
“This project addresses two critical needs—education and economic empowerment…The off-grid solar energy systems will supply stable electricity to the CDSSs, enabling them to run digital learning programmes, laboratory experiments and small-scale commercial enterprises,” he said.
