Transforming education through energy access: AboitizPower and Aboitiz Foundation's AuroraPH lights the way

This initiative aims to support last-mile schools with solar power, connectivity, and digital tools for inclusive learning

- BY JASMINE TUAÑO

Access to education remains hampered in many parts of the Philippines, not by a lack of will to learn but by the absence of basic infrastructure.

According to the Department of Education, more than 1,500 public schools across the country still operate without electricity. For these communities, the simple act of turning on a light bulb or connecting to the internet remains out of reach, limiting both students and teachers from maximizing modern methods of learning.

A study by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies found that elementary schools with electricity performed 12 percent better in the National Achievement Test compared to those without. Secondary schools also registered a 10 percent advantage. The presence of reliable electricity is not just a matter of convenience but a decisive factor in closing the learning gap.

To help these disadvantaged schools, the Aboitiz Foundation, together with AboitizPower, launched the AuroraPH initiative. Beginning in 2024, AuroraPH has been bringing renewable energy, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to last-mile schools across the Philippines. The program is guided by the One New Aboitiz Sustainability Framework, which emphasizes preparing future leaders, empowering communities with tools for livelihood, and advancing climate action.

Lighting the path for future leaders

At its core, AuroraPH is founded on the belief that access to energy and technology is vital to shaping the next generation of leaders. By equipping far-flung schools with solar power and internet access, teachers can now use digital tools to enhance classroom instruction. Lessons that were once confined to chalkboards and textbooks can be brought to life through videos, interactive content, and online resources.