Already grappling with loadshedding, the capacity of Eskom to meet the electricity supply requirements of rural schools is severely undermined. But one company has devised a means to ensure that lack of electricity or less of it due to loadshedding does not continue to be a big obstacle to under-resourced areas from accessing quality education.
Through its concept of a solar powered classroom, Ambit is providing provide “off-grid” electricity and connectivity to rural classrooms and help teachers overcome the pitfalls of load shedding. The Education Delivered Intelligently (EDI) classroom is a standard, modular container-sized, fully operational classroom and ICT hub in one.
Shedding more light on the concept, Louise van Loggerenberg, director of Ambit, comments: “The EDI solar powered classrooms are designed to be used in rural, remote or even urban areas.’
She adds: “Standard systems seamlessly integrate with solar PV, wind turbines and a range of other renewable sources. The classroom is fully insulated and can be supplied with electric lighting, heating or cooling and internet connectivity.”
According to Ambit, the system not only harnesses the continent’s most abundant resource, the sun, but can also provide power for the rest of the school.
EDI is already being used at the TlamaTlama Primary School in Tembisa on the East Rand. Ambit is aiming at delivering 32 solar classrooms by third quarter of 2015.
Transform SA is informed that EDI solar powered classroom will be on display at Ambit Technology stand during the upcoming SABC Education African EduWeek in Johannesburg from July 1 to 2.
