Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THOMAS Coulter Primary School in Hwange District, Matabeleland North province has taken a significant step towards clean energy and climate resilience after receiving a 3.5kVA solar power system from Climate Action Network Zimbabwe (CANZIM) and Vostile Creatives Trust, a development expected to improve learning while equipping local youths with green energy skills.
The handover ceremony, held last week, brought together education officials, community leaders, parents, development partners and learners, who hailed the initiative as a practical response to the challenges posed by climate change and unreliable electricity supplies.
Speaking during the ceremony, CANZIM National Coordinator, Mr Wellington Madumira said the donation represented far more than the installation of solar equipment.
“It’s an investment in education, community resilience, and Zimbabwe’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future,” he said, noting that climate change continues to disrupt livelihoods, education and development through prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall and energy insecurity.
Mr Madumira said access to reliable electricity would enable the school to embrace digital learning, improve administration and create a safer learning environment while reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
He said the project was rooted in the principles of a just transition, ensuring that communities and vulnerable institutions benefit from the shift to renewable energy.
Beyond electrifying the school, CANZIM announced that 30 young people from the surrounding community will receive practical training in solar installation and maintenance, equipping them with marketable green skills that could create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Acting head teacher Ms Nothando Dube, speaking on behalf of headmistress Ms Thokozile Chipato, described the donation as transformative for both the school and the wider community.
She said improved lighting and reliable electricity would enhance teaching and learning, while the accompanying technical training would empower local youths with skills needed in Zimbabwe’s growing renewable energy sector.
“We believe that this partnership will not only transform our school but will also open doors for us to attract more friends and partners who may wish to walk this journey of development with us,” she said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Hwange District schools inspector, Mr Lawrence Hastings Matshazi, school inspector Mr Fanny Moyo said the project aligned with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s vision of promoting green schools and integrating technology into education.
He said solar energy would provide reliable power for classrooms, administration and information communication technologies while reducing operational costs and carbon emissions.
Moyo also commended the inclusion of climate education and tree planting activities during the event, saying they would help learners develop environmental stewardship beyond the classroom.
Meanwhile, Vostile Creatives Trust director, Mr Malven said every child deserved access to clean and reliable energy regardless of where they lived.
“This donation is more than equipment. It’s a statement that rural and urban schools deserve clean, reliable energy that climate action starts in our classrooms, and that when communities and organisations work together, we can power the future,” he said.
The installation is expected to support uninterrupted learning during power outages, expand opportunities for digital education and strengthen environmental awareness among learners, while serving as a model for community-driven climate action initiatives in the country.
