AMORE provides solar energy to 42 schools in Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi

For years they have no electricity. For several years, many of the pupils are yet to see a live television show.

But with solar electrification program around, there was nothing better to welcome the students in remote rural villages upon their return to schools than the news that they soon will be able to watch educational television programs courtesy of electricity from solar power.

Just as well refurbished schools through the "Brigada Eskwela" program of the Department of Education, welcome the pupils in far flung elementary schools in Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi, they were also welcomed by solar energy courtesy of the Alliance for Mindanaoand Multi-Regional Renewable/Rural Energy Development (AMORE).

During the signing, ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman was represented by his Chief of Staff Amihilda Sangcopan, DepEd-ARMM Secretary Lawyer Jamar Kulayan by Assistant Secretary Noor Mohammad Saada and AMORE by its chief of party Laurie Navarro.

Also present were BEE Director Shuaib Maulana, BSE Director Hamid Ladjakahal, SDS Bai Alibai Benito-Aliuden of Maguindanao II Division and SDS Bai Meriam Ampatuan-Kawit of Maguindanao I Division. Also present were school heads from the target divisions.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, has been a major destination of community development projects of the AMORE Program since 2002.

Fun and interactive learning, a more effective and impactful teaching, and improved overall school performance are just some of the documented impact of solar-powered educational television in the remote schools.

By connecting students in poor rural villages to modern technology, AMORE strives to give thousands of students improved learning environment, and thus, a chance at a better quality of life in the future.

"Solar-powered educational television increases young people’s knowledge and tease their imagination of another world quite different from theirs," AMORE said in a statement.

More than 10,000 elementary school students in Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi are expected to benefit from the solar photovoltaic modules donated by the SunPower Foundation, whose main company has solar photovoltaic manufacturing plants in Batangas and Laguna.

To ensure that the benefits of solar power and educational television are maximized, the various school administrations take the lead in the equipment’s operations and maintenance.

Active participation and cooperation of the schools' parents-teachers-community association toward a successful project maintenance was also solicited.