adminConrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau
BOARDING schools in Mashonaland West province have heeded Government’s call for people to save environment in their day-to-day operations by investing in clean sources of energy, including biogas.
Zimbabwe is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1992 which aims to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
In a bid to play their part in environmental protection while at the same time cut their energy bill, the schools engaged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to set up the digesters.
Biogas is an environmentally friendly and cheap renewable energy source produced by the breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps and animal waste.
REA’s Mashonaland West manager, Engineer Last Taguma Sauramba recently said eight boarding facilities had their plants installed and commissioned.
The plants make use of piggery and human waste.
“We have eight boarding schools that had their biogas digesters commissioned so far.
“These include, Sandringham, Moleli, Presbyterian and Msengezi High Schools in Chegutu district.
“In Hurungwe, we have Chikangwe High School and Sanyati Baptist in Sanyati district. The plants are used for cooking and heating chicken run,” he said.
The other school that embraces the environmentally friendly initiative is the centurion-old Kutama Boys High School in Zvimba district.
“Most of the plants are 50 cubic metres in size except Sandringham’s 120 cubic metres.
“And apart from Msengezi, Moleli and Presbyterian High Schools that use human waste, the rest make use of piggery waste,” he added.
The schools relied on firewood for energy as national grid electricity proved unreliable due to continuous decreasing water levels at Kariba Dam that have seen depressed power output.
The use of firewood for energy throughout the country, has exacerbated deforestation.
According to Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, the nation is recording an average annual deforestation rate of 1,41 percent which amounts to 330 000 hectares.
Provincial education director, Mr Gabriel Mhuma rallied institutions in Mashonaland West to embrace the technology that saves on their spending while at the same time saving their environment.
“Our schools should be alive to the fact that we are leaving under a period of environmental crisis and, it is our duty to practice what we teach for a sustainable future and environment. We are also encouraging our schools to embrace clean energy that is cheap which, in turn, lessens the burden on the parents,” he said.
He challenged schools to also invest in solar energy.
Engineer Sauramba said at least three projects in Makonde and Hurungwe districts are lined up this year.
Various individuals mostly farmers across the province have also registered their interests to set up biogas digesters.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter