PROMOTING oral health is an important habit that must be cultivated at a young age, and there’s no better place to start than at school.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP), through one of its councillors, Connie Tan, distributed 1,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste to primary school students at SJK(C) Kong Min Cawangan 2 in Air Itam on March 28.
The items were sponsored by Pro Dental-B Corporation Sdn Bhd.
Tan told a press conference that the initiative was to raise awareness of the importance of oral health among the students, while helping them create a good impression about themselves.
“We all know that poor oral health impacts children’s self-esteem and attendance at school, and poor oral hygiene can lead to long-term health issues.
“MBPP is always critical and steadfast when it comes to bringing about awareness of various issues pertaining to the local communities in Penang,” Tan said.
On another matter, Tan also contributed 100 recycling bags to the school in line with the state’s vision to promote green initiatives.
“Just like many other schools in Penang, Kong Ming is also an active participant in MBPP’s ‘Anugerah Sekolah Hijau’ programme.
“We hope all the schools in Penang will continue with their green agenda, and I would also like to encourage more schools to take part in green initiatives organised by MBPP in the future,” she added.
Similarly, according to WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature), Tan said that Malaysia is one of the countries with the highest usage of single-use plastics.
“We are actively utilising public spaces, such as billboards, bus stops and others to spread educational messages regarding the importance of breaking the single-use plastic habit among the people.
“The climate crisis is very alarming in today’s era, and if we, as responsible citizens, can make a difference by eliminating habits detrimental to the environment, let’s do it then,” Tan added.
Also present during the press conference was the school’s Parents and Teachers’ Association (PIBG) chairman Chung Kwong Chung.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian