Solar-Powered Learning Labs

Powering Potential Inc (PPI)

Solar-Powered Learning Labs

Solar-powered computer labs and digital skills training for Tanzanian youth to succeed in school and the 21st-century economy.

Karatu, Tanzania

TZA

Nonprofit

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Tanzanian students often graduate from school lacking essential skills for success in the 21st-century economy, with only 30% completing secondary education. There is a severe shortage of textbooks, with some schools having just one textbook for every ten students. Less than 30% of schools have electricity, and almost all public schools lack computers and internet access. Many students graduate without ever using a computer, and many teachers possess little to no digital literacy. These challenges are particularly severe in rural areas. Over 50% of Tanzania’s population is under 18, a trend across sub-Saharan Africa. By 2040, one in four people worldwide will be African. However, over 80% of schools on the continent lack access to the internet, basic learning materials, and digital literacy, which hinders the development of these countries. Over 30 million students in Tanzania, and more than 500 million young people across sub-Saharan Africa, risk being left behind without access to the digital tools, skills, and infrastructure essential for success in the 21st century.

Solar-powered computer labs and digital skills training to teachers and students at rural Tanzanian secondary schools. Schools get 20 computers, three servers, printer, projector, screen, and solar system. The servers come with LibreOffice and Microsoft Office, coding software like HTML, Python, and Scratch, and a digitized version of the national curriculum. The curriculum, Shule Direct, is created by Tanzanian educators and produced by a local NGO. It includes all materials available in paper textbooks, practice quizzes, and sample national exam questions. We provide internet via dongles and a data package, allowing teachers to download materials for lesson plans, show videos, utilize educational materials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Education website, and access the world of online information. PEF conducts an orientation for the lead teachers before installation. PEF then provides introductory training to students and teaches all available teachers to use the lab and help students use it effectively. They return six months later for refresher training and travel to the schools as needed to troubleshoot and provide repairs. PEF also conducts additional Python and Scratch coding workshops throughout the year, usually 1-3 courses of 12 hours each, depending on the school's needs and schedule.

We serve students and teachers in rural Tanzanian public secondary schools—communities with limited access to electricity, qualified teachers, internet, and basic learning materials. Most families are impoverished smallholder farmers, and few adults, especially women, have completed secondary education. Schools often lack textbooks, have no computers, and rely on underpaid teachers who use personal phones to access content. Life is precarious, and climate-related disruptions worsen conditions. We train teachers to integrate technology into instruction and build students’ digital literacy. The content we provide makes up for the severe shortage of textbooks and study materials, while the additional software and training give them real-word skills. These labs help fill gaps in instructional resources, improve exam performance, and increase graduation and tertiary education rates. Students gain critical digital competencies needed to apply for jobs, access higher education, and succeed in modern workplaces. Teachers benefit from new instructional tools and professional development. Schools with our labs have seen enrollment grow by over 500%, and 58% of graduates report employment in roles requiring computer skills. Our program closes the digital divide while expanding opportunity, shifting the long-term trajectory for students and their communities.