Projects

Solar Project

 

Solar Power Project Commissioned at Saint Joseph’s Secondary School

The Saint Joseph’s Secondary School Alumnae Association, Southeastern Chapter (USA), proudly announces the successful completion and handover of a major solar energy project to the school’s proprietor, His Grace Edward Tamba Charles, Archbishop of Freetown. This initiative reflects the Chapter’s continued commitment to improving teaching and learning at Saint Joseph’s Secondary School through sustainable solutions.

Reliable access to electricity is essential for modern education. By equipping the school with a 20KVA solar power system—comprised of four all-in-one 5KVA solar generators—the project now supports uninterrupted power across the entire campus, including classrooms, laboratories, the library, media center, and other facilities. The installation also includes four solar streetlights, two with integrated security cameras, providing 24/7 lighting and enhanced campus safety. This investment lays the groundwork for quality distance and online learning while eliminating dependence on the national grid and frequent power outages.

Fully funded, led, and managed by the Southeastern Chapter through dedicated fundraising and member support, the project was expertly installed by Mimi Solar, LLC, a Sierra Leonean-owned solar technology company operating at home and in the diaspora. Special appreciation is extended to co-founder and CFO Mr. Francis Thomas and his engineering team for their professional execution.

The Alumnae Association remains committed to maintaining the system and urges the school community—administration, staff, and students—to steward this resource responsibly for the collective good. The Chapter celebrates this milestone with its members and calls on alumnae worldwide to continue supporting a brighter, more resilient future for the school that helped shape generations of strong women.

The future is looking bright.

 

 

 

 

 

Two shifts system: an education challenge

Current Situation

The school currently operates on a two shifts system, where one set of students attend classes from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and the second set of students attend classes from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

Challenge

The two shifts system has been identified as a leading cause for the poor performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), taken at the end of Junior Secondary School level (JSS3/Grade 9) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), taken at the end of Senior Secondary School level (SSS3/Grade 12).

 

• Children in the afternoon shift not being at their mental best at that time of day
• The afternoon shift teachers tend to have other jobs they do in the morning so by the time they teach in the afternoon the quality of their teaching output is subpar
• There is not enough quality contact time between students and teachers
• Poor enforcement of regular and punctual school attendance for both teachers and pupils

 

Expected outcome from eliminating the second shift

• Improved learning environment
• Measurable improvements in the performance of students who take the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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Remodeling projects to support the move from two shifts to one shift

1. New Classroom building project – containing 8 classrooms (estimated cost: $270,000)
2. Converting a dilapidated and unused building to provide additional classrooms (estimated cost: $80,000)
3. Refurbishment projects:

• The Staff room - Click here to learn more about the staff room project.
• The Main building
• The Javouhey building
• The Science building

 

 

We appreciate your support and generous contributions as we make this vision a reality.