Off-grid solar solutions are helping children across Kenya continue their education while the nation’s schools remain shut down. The closures form part of the emergency measures put in place to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and renewable technology is proving vital in helping families adapt to life during the crisis.
With more than 15M primary and secondary students at home in Kenya, the Ministry of Education announced it would broadcast lessons for up to eight hours daily through dedicated radio and television channels.
However, access to electricty remains an inclusivity issue in the region, as roughly 9 out of 10 of all the people worldwide still not connected to the power grid are to be found in sub-Saharan Africa, constituting a total population of around 600M.
In response, as a leading provider of affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems, Azuri Technologies has coupled off-grid solar with energy-efficient smart TVs, rechargeable radios, satellite entertainment, plus a range of other appliances and services, to bring modern digital technology to off-grid households.
Azuri solar-powered satellite TV is helping rural children across the country to access the new education channels and make sure they are benefiting from the national initiative as much as fellow students in urban areas, connected to the grid.
Thanks to off-grid systems like AzuriTV, rural households can access government channels like Edu TV Channel 029 featuring daily lessons including English, Kiswahili, Maths and Science, along with teachings around hygiene and nutrition being broadcast to inform students and families on best practice to help defeat the spread of Coronavirus.
Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth said:
“Azuri is committed to supporting off-grid households through this challenging time and we want to do all we can to ensure that children in rural Kenya are not left behind in terms of learning progress due to the crisis facing the nation and the world.”
Azuri-powered off-grid households can also access learning via Radio Taifa, with lessons broadcast throughout the day, Monday to Friday.
Mother of four from Ngunya, Siaya, Hellen Awour said:
“The children miss their friends and being at school, but thank goodness they can continue with their education from home. We have Azuri solar TV and they can watch and learn the same as if they were at school.”
With three school children, Rose Adeny, from Kolwenge, Siaya, added:
“Because we have Azuri solar at home, we are able to listen and stay up-to-date with the news and government information being shared, but just as important, the children can continue their studies and not be left behind.”
Azuri Technologies is a leading provider of affordable pay-as-you-go solar home systems to off-grid consumers across Africa. Combining the latest solar innovation and mobile payment technology, Azuri delivers reliable, renewable and distributed power to the millions who have no access to modern powered services. Operating in sub-Saharan Africa since 2012, Azuri is active in five key territories: Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Further Reading:
- IRENA on Scaling up renewable energy deployment in Africa (PDF).
- IEA charts for growth of off-grid solar PV in Asia and Africa.
- More about Azuri Technologies.
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