Six primary schools in Tabora Municipality, including institutions for deaf and visually impaired students, have received modern electric stoves to prepare meals for pupils, marking a major step in promoting clean energy use in schools.
The project, coordinated by the Ministry of Energy, is implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative, with funding from development partners including the UK Government (UK FCDO).
Deo Alex, the project coordinator, said the initiative supports the government’s directive requiring institutions serving food to more than 100 people to switch to clean cooking energy.
“We inspected the project and are satisfied with the progress. We are now waiting for the pressure cookers to be connected so that cooks can start using them. Timely completion and adherence to standards remain a priority. This project comes at the right time,” Alex said.
Feliciana Muyaga, Tabora’s Special Education and School Health Coordinator, said the electric stoves will end the practice of cooking outdoors, particularly during the rainy season, while improving hygiene and the overall school environment.
“This project is very important. It will encourage children to attend school regularly and protect the health of both students and cooks. The environment will stay clean, and parents will be motivated to support school meals, while tree cutting is reduced,” Muyaga said.
The schools benefiting from the project include Uhuru, Magereza, Furaha, Bombamzinga, Kizigo, and Tabora for the Deaf.
Dr. Geoffrey Ndegwa, WFP Tanzania Project Manager, said the decision to use electric stoves was backed by reliable electricity supply, including from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project. He urged teachers to maintain the new infrastructure to ensure its long-term benefits.
Dr. Ndegwa also highlighted that the project supports national efforts to promote clean cooking, with the goal of reaching 80% adoption across Tanzania by 2034.
