With the huge sum of money spent on rural school electrification, it is hoped that we can close the digital gap between urban and rural students. It should. But of course the main issue is the educational aspects of the rural areas.
Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zakarshi told newsmen recently that the government has allocated RM700 million (US$223 mil) for the implementation of the hybrid solar supply system for 179 rural schools in Sabah that have yet to receive electricity supply.
Out of the total, RM300 million had already been spent for the first phase involving 78 schools which had been fully completed. Another RM400 million was for the implementation of the second phase of the hybrid solar project involving 101 schools.
Facts and figures
Total pledged : RM700 mil (US$223mil)
Utilised : RM300 mil
No. of schools : 179 or RM3.9 mil per school
Phase 1 : 78 school completed
Phase 2 : 64 schools completed
Currently on-going projects (18 schools):
1. Beluran - 13 schools
2. Ranau - 3 schools
3. Kota Belud - 1 school
4. Sipitang - 1 school
More hybrid systems are needed?
The 179 rural schools were selected from an initial total of 270 schools in Sabah that do not have electricity from the power grid - as at 2010. With SESB's target of 95% power supply coverage in 2012, this number should have been significantly reduced.
My personal opinion is that, in a long run, grid connected power is the way to go as the maintenance of the stand-alone solar system components is very much higher than the grid connected system. A study on two of Sabah's rural school hybrid solar power units showed that batteries contributes about 45% of the lifetime cost.
TheGreenMechanics' two cents
Spending millions of Ringgit for rural schools electrification is indeed a noble idea. It opens up a lot of opportunity to the rural students as well as benefiting the community around the school. It close the gap on the availability of online information, as well as getting rid of the limitation to carry out school (and social) activities only during daytime.
The community - and this must start from the affected schools - must be taught to take care of the facilities. This does not necessarily means they must be able to troubleshoot or repair faulty components but they could start with relaying the information to the agency responsible for maintaining the system.
At the same time they can learn to clean the solar panels and to take important readings from a user-friendly monitors and/or indicators.
A solar-diesel generator hybrid power unit in one of the rural schools in Sabah
Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zakarshi told newsmen recently that the government has allocated RM700 million (US$223 mil) for the implementation of the hybrid solar supply system for 179 rural schools in Sabah that have yet to receive electricity supply.
Out of the total, RM300 million had already been spent for the first phase involving 78 schools which had been fully completed. Another RM400 million was for the implementation of the second phase of the hybrid solar project involving 101 schools.
Facts and figures
Total pledged : RM700 mil (US$223mil)
Utilised : RM300 mil
No. of schools : 179 or RM3.9 mil per school
Phase 1 : 78 school completed
Phase 2 : 64 schools completed
Currently on-going projects (18 schools):
1. Beluran - 13 schools
2. Ranau - 3 schools
3. Kota Belud - 1 school
4. Sipitang - 1 school
More hybrid systems are needed?
The 179 rural schools were selected from an initial total of 270 schools in Sabah that do not have electricity from the power grid - as at 2010. With SESB's target of 95% power supply coverage in 2012, this number should have been significantly reduced.
Electricity coverage by region: Economic Planning Unit and Rural and Regional Development
My personal opinion is that, in a long run, grid connected power is the way to go as the maintenance of the stand-alone solar system components is very much higher than the grid connected system. A study on two of Sabah's rural school hybrid solar power units showed that batteries contributes about 45% of the lifetime cost.
Battery maintenance is crucial. Facts source1
TheGreenMechanics' two cents
Spending millions of Ringgit for rural schools electrification is indeed a noble idea. It opens up a lot of opportunity to the rural students as well as benefiting the community around the school. It close the gap on the availability of online information, as well as getting rid of the limitation to carry out school (and social) activities only during daytime.
The community - and this must start from the affected schools - must be taught to take care of the facilities. This does not necessarily means they must be able to troubleshoot or repair faulty components but they could start with relaying the information to the agency responsible for maintaining the system.
At the same time they can learn to clean the solar panels and to take important readings from a user-friendly monitors and/or indicators.
source1: Abdul Muhaimin Mahmud - Carl von Ossietzky University
