In the quiet rural stretch of Makungwa, Eastern Province, learning used to stop when the sun went down. And for subjects like Information and Communications Technology (ICT), learning often never started.

With no electricity, Makungwa Primary School, home to over 400 pupils, had been forced to send learners to other schools, as far as 15 kilometres, just to access computers.

“In subjects such as ICT, where electricity is essential, we’ve faced challenges in the past. We often had to relocate our pupils to other schools with power supply just to conduct exams,” said Acting Headteacher Ainess Phiri.

In addition to the lack of electricity for classrooms and learning, the teachers, who are a vital part of the school community, were also not connected to the grid. As a result, many had to live several kilometres away from the school in areas with electricity access, making daily commutes long and exhausting.

But things are changing — and changing fast.

Thanks to the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), Makungwa Primary School is now connected to the national grid. The project, valued at over K5 million, also includes Chilobwe Primary School, and is part of REA’s broader plan to electrify 20 schools and 13 rural health centres in 2025.

Electricity in schools is directly linked to Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education. It supports digital inclusion, improves learning environments, and creates a fairer platform for rural learners.

In Makungwa, this means pupils like Jack Kambule, a Grade 7 learner and prefect, will no longer be left behind.

I’m happy that we now have electricity at our school. It means we can finally start learning computer subjects here instead of going to another school, its tiresome for me and my friends. I’m also excited that I will now be able to see a computer switch on right in our own classroom,” said Jack.

With electricity now available, the school expects improvements not only in ICT exam performance but also in overall academic preparations. Teachers are equally optimistic.

“Now that staff houses are also connected, we anticipate better teacher retention and reduced absenteeism. It’s difficult to attract and keep teachers in rural areas without electricity. This changes that,” said Acting Headteacher Ainess Phiri.

Meanwhile Chipata Mayor George Mwanza praised REA for the project, encouraging the Authority to continue bridging the rural-urban gap in energy access.

“Connecting 20 schools in the province is not something that we can ignore. The commitment that REA is showing by facilitating development and transformation of our local communities through the provision of power, is commendable,” said the Mayor.

From lighting classrooms to powering computer labs, electricity is no longer a luxury — it is the foundation of modern learning. In places like Makungwa, it’s not just turning on bulbs; it’s switching on possibilities.