GOING green is more than just a competition—it is a way of life at SMK Kampong Kastam and SJK(C) Union, the winners of the Penang Green School Award 2025 in the secondary and primary school categories, respectively.
SMK Kampong Kastam principal Sugumaran Rajendran and SJK(C) Union principal Loh Meng Yim credited their schools’ success to the collective efforts of teachers, staff, and students in fostering a strong environmental culture.
Sugumaran emphasised that their green initiatives go beyond the contest; they are deeply ingrained in the school’s culture.
“Unity among students and teachers, our green classroom concept, and the ‘One Class, One Garden’ initiative played a significant role in securing this award.
“Sustainability is a daily practice here, not just an event for competition. Walk into any of our classrooms, and you will be greeted by the vibrant greeneries,” he said.
Determined to uphold their environmental commitment, Sugumaran expressed the school’s ambition to defend its title in the coming year.
Similarly, Loh reaffirmed SJK(C) Union’s dedication to sustainability.
“We have participated in this competition multiple times, and winning for the second time is a testament to our unwavering commitment.
“This victory belongs to our teachers, staff, and students, whose teamwork made it possible,” she said.
Penang Green Council (PGC) general manager Josephine Tan announced that the Green School Award will undergo a transformation with the introduction of the Green School Star Rating System in this year.
“As we move into this new phase, the revamped system will be built on three key pillars.
“Firstly, it will encourage students to take the lead in green initiatives. Secondly, it will provide teachers with the tools and resources to integrate sustainability into their curriculum.
“Lastly, it will strengthen the bond between schools and their communities to create a collective impact.
“This new system will ensure that schools continue to innovate and excel in their green practices, setting a benchmark for environmental sustainability in education,” Tan said during the Penang Green School Award 2025 prize presentation ceremony at Komtar today.
At the same event, the Toray &+ (And Plus) Recycling Competition 2025 prize presentation was also held.
Tan highlighted that PET plastic bottles collected through the competition will be recycled into synthetic fibre, supporting the concept of a circular economy.
“A total of 96 schools participated in this year’s Penang Green School Programme—53 from the island and 43 from the mainland,” she shared.
As part of the ‘No Single-Use Plastic’ campaign, all participants received free reusable food containers, reinforcing the importance of reducing plastic waste and adopting eco-friendly habits.
State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu reaffirmed the Penang government’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“Through PGC, RM25,000 in prizes was allocated—RM12,500 for primary schools and RM12,500 for secondary schools,” he said.
Sundarajoo highlighted the long-standing impact of the Penang Green School Award, which was established in 2010.
He mentioned that the programme saw its highest participation in 2018, with 241 schools involved (176 primary schools and 65 secondary schools).
“The competition is becoming increasingly competitive, and together, we are making a meaningful impact in protecting our environment,” he said.
Sundarajoo also referenced Penang’s latest environmental milestone—the ‘Penang No Plastic Bag Every Day Campaign 2025’, which he officially launched two weeks ago.
“A six-month educational enforcement period, from March 1 to August 31, will allow businesses and the public to adapt to the new regulations. Full enforcement will take effect on September 1, 2025,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Sundarajoo expressed hope that by Merdeka (Independence Day), Penang will also be free from single-use plastic bags, marking another step forward in the state’s sustainability journey.
Some of pictures taken at the ceremony:-
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En