Mobile phone service provider TNM has connected solar energy to six schools in Karonga, a development that has brought opportunities of studying at night to several pupils around the schools.

The project has cost the mobile phone service provider K2 million which was spent on the installation of solar panels and other accessories to ensure that there is electricity in the schools.

The six schools — Chisalankhanga, Ibundya, Lemero, Chisowolo, Mponya and Lupembe — are in Karonga Central Constituency and the initiative followed a request by parliamentarian for the area who is also Deputy Finance and Economic Development minister Cornelius Mwalwanda.

"At TNM we have an allocation for corporate social responsibility activities to societies whom we believe have pushed us to where we are today and kept us there. The initiative is part of that allocation," said TNM Head of Northern Region Francis Mwamadi.

"This project was implemented in the constituency on request from the MP. However, we might replicate it anywhere across the country as long as our budget for such initiatives allows us. The K2million was from the region's budget."

Mwamadi said the project in the constituency was to compliment a programme to electrify some schools which the parliamentarian is implementing using the constituency development fund (CDF).

TNM visited some of the electrified schools on Sunday and Mwalwanda said during the event that the electrification of the six schools means up to 10 schools have been electrified in the constituency.

"There were a lot of problems because pupils could not study at night. If anything they used lamps which were not that conducive," said Mwalwanda in an interview.

"That should be something of the past now and I am delighted with the contribution TNM has made towards the exercise. The pupils should certainly devote their time to studies now and that should improve pass rate in the primary schools."