The Influence of Renewable Energy Technology on the Learning of Science at Myeka High School in rural KwaZulu Natal
Deepak Singh · Physica Scripta · 2001
Past results have indicated that pupils in rural schools fare poorly in the Sciences and Mathematics. Reasons for this range from financial constraints to political and social influences. The introduction of renewable energy resources has the potential to equip pupils with the theoretical forte of being able to at least compete with their urban counterparts. Technology provides the mechanism to develop new and effective ways of bringing modern education facilities and techniques to those who would not have had access to it. The implementation of a Renewable Energy Technology (RET) system at Myeka High School overcame many logistical problems, indicating that education and technology, and all the role-players involved could successfully make a meaningful contribution to rural development. Indications are that the technology and rural environment can form a working combination; in which the technology provides the opportunities for learners and the community to explore the world from a desktop computer. The effect that this technology has had on the learning of Science was analysed, using previous test and examination scores. The influence of the technology could then be appraised.