The P.7 Candidates of Good journey nursery primary schools attending a class at night
A solar energy project is helping improve learning conditions and boosting school enrollment at Good Journey Nursery and Primary School in Kilulu B Village, Mbale District.
The school, which was established in 2016 by local leaders Mr. Malenje Simon and Grace Kayegi, serves more than 300 learners, including children from vulnerable and low-income families. However, for years, frequent power outages disrupted learning activities and affected the school’s growth.
According to school administrators, electricity blackouts occurred several times a week, often forcing learners to miss evening revision classes and limiting preparation time for candidates sitting the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
“The unreliable power supply affected both teaching and learning. Pupils could not study consistently in the evenings, and this had an impact on academic performance,” said Kayegi, who manages the school.
In a bid to address the challenge, the school invested in a solar energy system supplied by Sun King. The Home Plus Pro solar package provides lighting for classrooms and enables learners to study both in the early morning and late evening hours.
Simon Malenje, director of Good Journey Nursery and Primary School in his office.
The installation was supported through the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Programme, a partnership involving Equity Bank Uganda, Energizing Development (EnDev) Uganda and GIZ. The initiative aims to increase access to affordable and reliable renewable energy solutions for schools, households and small businesses.
School leaders say the impact has been immediate. Enrollment has increased from 250 to 310 pupils within a year, while school revenues have risen from Shs3.5 million to Shs5 million per term.
Malenje, who also serves as the Local Council I Chairperson, said access to dependable lighting has improved learners’ study time and created a more conducive learning environment.
“With stable lighting, our pupils have enough time to prepare for examinations. Improved academic performance attracts more learners and enables us to employ more teachers,” he said.
The solar system has also enabled the school to revive plans for expanding its facilities, including the establishment of a boarding section and the construction of teachers’ quarters.
Beyond supporting education, the project is contributing to wider community development by creating opportunities for employment and improving access to essential services.
Encouraged by the results, the school plans to expand its solar infrastructure to power additional facilities and eventually establish a solar-powered water pumping system to serve both the school and surrounding communities.
Stakeholders say the project demonstrates how renewable energy can help bridge infrastructure gaps in rural areas and support education outcomes.
For learners at Good Journey Nursery and Primary School, solar energy is proving to be more than a source of light. It is helping create opportunities for better education and a brighter future.
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