Many schools in Uganda have energy needs in the form of wood fuel for cooking and kerosene for lighting. Since the introduction of free primary education in 2003 which resulted in a 73% increase in students in the first year alone, demand for energy has risen significantly. This has led to increased depletion of natural forests as more trees are felled to provide charcoal and fire wood.
The full potential of schools to meet the demand for education is restricted by the cost of kerosene for lighting to extend operating hours.
To address these issues, UEEF encouraged school communities to grow their own trees in school woodlots. Students were trained to raise trees in their own nurseries and in basic tree-planting, aftercare and management skills.
In parallel UEEF by attracting funding partners, was able to introduce institutional wood-saving stoves to replace extremely inefficient ‘three-stones’ cooking methods, and solar energy systems to provide classroom lighting.
Woodlots are providing schools with a more sustainable source of fuel, and the stoves have helped reduce the overall amount of firewood used for cooking. Schools have made direct savings from these efficiency improvements and have used savings to improve their teaching and facilities and the school environment.
Schools have been able to offer greater flexibility and accessibility through night-classes made possible as a result of light provided by the solar energy systems.
Theme Linkages
Sustainable land use
Reduced volume of firewood use through more efficient stoves; reduced utilisation of natural forest resources through school woodlot development; reduced reliance on fossil fuels by use of solar power technologies for lighting.
Improved health and wellbeing
Fuel efficient stoves significantly reduce impacts of smoke inhalation.
Climate change adaptation
Reduced reliance on polluting fossil fuels and firewood.
Contribution to Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)
Target 2a: Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling
Target 7b: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
Contact Ugandan Environmental Education Foundation for more information
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