By The Respondent Reporter- Bariadi
A TSh14 million investment from Tanzania’s Rural Energy Agency (REA) has brought modern clean cooking technology to Simiyu Girls’ Science Secondary School, helping reduce health risks and environmental damage linked to traditional cooking methods.
The school, located in Bariadi District, was officially inaugurated today by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
It now features a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cooking system designed to serve up to 800 students, part of a wider government strategy to promote safe and sustainable energy use in public institutions.
The move is seen as a critical step in addressing the health hazards caused by firewood and charcoal use, while also contributing to environmental protection through reduced deforestation.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga, who briefed the President during her visit, said the government is working to make LPG both accessible and affordable.
“The system’s capacity ensures that with 800 students, the school will only need to refill its gas cylinder once every two months, making it both efficient and affordable,” she said.
Kapinga emphasized that efforts to reduce fuel costs are deliberate, forming part of the government’s plan to expand the use of clean cooking energy in schools and public facilities.
“The affordability of gas refills reflects ongoing government efforts to make clean energy solutions accessible for schools and other public institutions,” she noted.
She further explained that the project at Simiyu Girls’ School is aligned with President Samia’s directive to install clean cooking systems in all institutions that serve more than 100 people.
“As per your instruction, Madam President, the Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), is rolling out these systems in newly built schools to ensure safe, clean, and efficient cooking environments,” she said.
The government says the new cooking system will not only improve the quality of life for students and staff by reducing smoke exposure but also help protect forests by cutting reliance on biomass fuels.
President Samia’s visit to Simiyu reflects her administration’s broader push to link infrastructure development with sustainable energy solutions. The REA-funded project supports the country’s goal of achieving universal access to modern energy services by 2030, in line with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More schools and public institutions are expected to benefit from similar investments as Tanzania scales up efforts to transition rural areas toward clean and reliable energy sources.
