A survey was sent out to the secondary schools in Malawi. Approximately 50 schools are suitable candidates for the proposed solar powered lighting system. The comments below are from 15 of these 50 schools.

The variation in the costs is due to the fact that the schools have different numbers of students, use different numbers of lanterns in the classrooms, and some schools include other costs associated with using lanterns.

CDSS stands for Community Day Secondary School.

The introduction of study hours increased the pass rate in 2007. However study hours are limited to control costs. The provision of solar will solve our problems and study hours will be increased.

2. Thunga CDSS

Head Master:	Vincent Issa
Current lantern use:	1 hour per night
Annual fuel costs:	$80 per classroom

There is need for solar powered lighting system because this will help to improve the pass rate at this school. Many students do not come for studies because they cannot afford to purchase lanterns.

3. Mulomba CDSS

Head Master:	C.R.M. Kumbewe
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$80 per classroom

Indeed we are in great need of solar powered lighting. The move will definitely help the school in its national examinations as the pupils will have ample time for their studies.

4. Livunzu CDSS

Head Master:	P.G. Simbota
Current lantern use:	3 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$75 per classroom

Health hazards because of the gases and soot. Filling stations run out of stock and students complain that they are not studying into the night. There is a great need of electricity!

5. Katewe CDSS

Head Master:	B.N. Chilopa
Current lantern use:	3 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$275 per classroom

It is expensive to use paraffin than using a solar powered lighting system at our school.

6. Mkanda CDSS

Head Master:	A.A. Matemba
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$75 per classroom

The project is most welcome since this school faces problems as sometimes paraffin is scarce.

7. Malingunde CDSS

Head Master:	E.B. Kayanja
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$150 per classroom

We face problems in using lanterns most of which is to raise money for paraffin and also the money can be there but we can go two to three days without having the paraffin at the market, that disturbs the studies hence most of the students fail the exams.

8. Kapelula CDSS

Head Master:	H.J. Theulo
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$120 per classroom

We have been unable to provide students with the required number of lanterns for them to study comfortably due to lack of funds. Provision of few lanterns due to lack of funds has discouraged some students to come. This has affected performance of the students.

9. Misale CDSS

Head Master:	R.P.M. Phiri
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$300 per classroom

There is need for the school to be assisted with electricity since we experience shortage of paraffin, sometimes funds are also inadequate. Night studies are beneficial because they improve the pass rate.

10. Kasamba CDSS

Head Master:	B.S. Gwaluka
Current lantern use:	4 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$180 per classroom

Scarcity of paraffin and expense of hydro-power retards high pass rate at our institution. Solar system is the only power that can rescue our long existing problem and improve pass rate through evening studies.

11. Chisenga CDSS

Head Master:	E.P. Mwanguku
Current lantern use:	4 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$120 per classroom

Solar power could reduce the expenses we usually have on purchasing as well as transportation since we buy from Chupita Boma or Karonga kilometres away from our school. Not only that, lanterns are unpredictable such that light may be interrupted because of spare parts hence having no studies.

12. Khwawa CDSS

Head Master:	A.G. Kisyombe
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$220 per classroom

Our lanterns incur extra expenditure on mantles, spirits, matches and repair. We can be very appreciative if really the project is implemented for the betterment of our students academic results.

13. Enyezini CDSS

Head Master:	J.K.G.E. Ndhloru
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$140 per classroom

Lighting is poor. The cost of paraffin has since been increasing. Smoke produced by the paraffin lamps is inhaled causing coughs. There are times paraffin is not available.

14. Livingstonia CDSS

Head Master:	M.H. Jere
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$100 per classroom

Sometimes the schools encounters problems because the money for buying paraffin is sourced from the students who take part in these studies and paraffin here is difficult to find. In addition to this, sometimes lanterns have problems and are not used till they are fixed up, which means a breakdown of study time.

15. Mikundi CDSS

Head Master:	J.J. Muopayani
Current lantern use:	2 hours per night
Annual fuel costs:	$240 per classroom

The school is far away from ESCOM lines hence the use of paraffin lanterns is the manageable solution to night studies. The school has been wishing to solicit solar energy but has not enough resources to do so.