RAHIM YAR KHAN: The District Education Authority (DEA) has so far solarised 45 public schools, while 100 others are under the process, by utilising non-salary budget and raising funds through community engagement, not only saving power costs, but also contributing towards green energy production.

The initiative has been taken under the theme of “Energy Solutions Towards Better Pakistan”.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Khurram Pervez, during a visit to a school, told Dawn on Tuesday that RY Khan district has one of the largest network of public schools in Punjab with 2,397 institutions, where 52,4471 students are enrolled.

He said that in the district, situated in one of the hottest regions of the country -- south Punjab -- characterised by arid and semi-arid tropical climate with very low annual humidity, summer temperature can even surpass 50 degrees Celsius. So, he said, the schools need consistent supply of electricity to provide a conducive environment to the students.

The school solarisation initiative has been taken to resolve these issues, he added.

“We have so far switched 45 schools over to solar energy with net-meetering system,” adding that under the scheme 135 schools will be equipped with up to 20KV solar systems through community engagement.

The DC said that presently 100 more schools in the district are in the process of being solarised.

He said that the administration plans to solarise all high-enrollment schools, becoming the first district to do so in the province.

He said the initiative has saved the amount that was being paid from the non-salary budget for electricity bills of the schools, and these funds are now being spent on students’ welfare and to meet other needs of the schools.

He appreciated the efforts made by the DEA in this regard.

DEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malik Muhammad Aamir, during a briefing given to the DC and other administrative officers said the schools’ solarisation project will also help resolve the energy crisis and environmental issues.

He said the initiative could be made possible by engaging community through school committees, and the head teachers have played a great role in this regard.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025