Solar Panels Provide Power for Improved Education in Remote Maasai Area
May 08 2012, Kenya [KE], Education, Projects
Solar panels have been installed in the remote area of Ilkerin in Kenya, where many people from the Maasai tribe live. The panels power computers that will help to increase the quality of education.
Solar panels will provide power for computer labs that will serve the local community, students and out of school youth that are receiving vocational training. The computers that are used are energy efficient and save money because they are so called thin clients, a type of solution where a computer network of multiple users is powered by just one PC or server.
Up until now, the area of Ilkerin had no access to Kenya’s national power grid and the transport of fuel to support power generators was extremely difficult due to its location. For this reason, the installation of Solar Power Systems is extremely important for the area as it provides power efficiency to support projects such this, which will enhance computer literacy within the community of Ilkerin and especially of youth and primary school students. Being exposed to computers and internet ensures maasai children that they will be enabled to benefit from a similar learning environment as their peers in Nairobi. Developing context specific educational materials for the children will make their education also more relevant. The project is the product of collaboration between IICD and Edukans in the Connect4Change consortium) and local partner ILIDP.
Next step after the installation of the generators and the computer lab is that teachers and administrators are trained by a locally hired ICT officer. The courses will include training on how to apply ICT in vocational training and the building of entrepreneurial skills. In addition, local teachers will receive training in developing educational material digitally for primary school students.