With SPARC lab, Moro school visualize success

MOROGORO’s Nanenane Secondary School became the latest beneficiary of SPARC (Solar Powered Access to Raspberry Computing) donated by Powering Potential Inc. (PPI) in partnership with Potential Enhancement Foundation (PEF).

The newly installed system enables students and teachers to access academic materials on the computers without the need for electricity or the internet.  The SPARC package consists of a solar-power system, five user computers, a projector, a digital library, digitized Tanzanian secondary school curriculum, and training for students and teachers.

The donation is part of the mission of PPI in partnership with PEF to use technology to enhance education and expand opportunities for students and teachers especially in remote areas with limited electricity and internet.

The PEF Executive Director, Eng. Albin Mathias handed over the SPARC Lab to the Headmistress of Nanenane Secondary School Ms. Sarah Madabi during a brief ceremony held recently in Morogoro Region where the school is located.

“This is a dream come true,” declared Ms. Madabi excitedly after receiving the computers in front of a section of students and teachers who witnessed the handover ceremony.  She said installation of the system augers well with the school’s renewed commitment to improve academic performances of its students, saying it will transform all of them academically.

“In the long ran we want Nanenane to be exemplary among public schools in the region and possibly the entire country in terms of academic performances.  Installation of the SPARC therefore sets us on the right course towards realization of our dream since all the notes and materials required by students are readily available and can easily be accessed digitally.

We worked hard and actually had to be patient to convince PPI and PEF to install the system here, therefore it goes without saying that we shall fully utilize its benefits and jealously protect the system to ensure its longevity,” she said.

The school, according to her, contributed to the project by providing a secure room with tables and chairs for the computer lab and has also set aside funds for repairs and maintenance.

Ms. Madabi said the school is grateful for the donation and is not taking it for granted, well aware that numerous other schools are desperate to have such system installed at their schools but have not been as lucky due to budget constraints. However, with a population of over 1,000 students and 50 teachers, she says the school could do with the second SPARC+ lab whose package includes additional 15 computers and expansion of solar system.

Eng. Mathias commended the school’s administration for its efforts and resilience to convince PEF and to prepare for installation of its first SPARC lab.  “You kept us on our toes to ensure we install the system and today we are all glad and excited to see this happening.”

Eng. Mathias expressed hopes that the system would be properly used and serve as an eye opener to most students, hence trigger tremendous improvements in their academic endeavors as well as the overall performance of the school.

He challenged the entire school community to fully utilize the newly installed system and protect it to ensure it operates optimally and for the intended purposes.  He pledged that PEF and PPI will continue to assist the school in whatever way possible, including finding donors to facilitate installation of the SPARC+ lab.

“We are grateful for this donation and we look forward to fully maximizing the installed computer programs to improve academically. I am interested in science subjects and my ambition is to become a doctor.  I’m working very hard and I’m determined to banish the notion that female students cannot excel in science subjects. The academic materials installed in the computers would make learning easy and more enjoyable, hence pave way for me to realize my academic dreams,” Ms. Hosiana Tozzo, a form four student at the school said.

Her remarks were echoed by a form three student, Joshua Gaston who said he was keen to learn and expand his knowledge, thanks to the lessons and other useful programs loaded on the computer.

“Indeed, installation of the computers marks a milestone in my academic journey at Nanenane Secondary School. My dream is to become a doctor and I hope to access a lot of useful information that is in line with the national secondary school curriculum.  The PEF and our school management deserve a pat on the back for installation of this technology,” he said.

On the other hand, Mr. Ramadhani Lema, the Nanenane Secondary School teacher responsible for overseeing management of the SPARC lab, was all smiles ‘after tireless efforts’ culminated with installation and commissioning of the computers.

“We will make sure this donation improves performance of our school academically,” he said.