PRIMARY and secondary schools on the island and mainland were recognised as agents of green initiatives under various categories during the Penang Green School Awards (ASH 2023) ceremony at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya today.
SK Bayan Baru walked away with RM5,000 and a certificate after being announced as the grand winner for the primary school category, while SJK(C) Yok Eng clinched second place with RM3,000.
As for the secondary school category, SMK Convent Butterworth won first place and SMK Datuk Haji Mohd Nor Ahmad was announced as runners-up.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to grace the ceremony earlier, said programmes such as the Green School Awards are proving to be very pivotal at a time when the issue of climate change is making headlines globally.
“It is important to instil and cultivate this type of interest among the young people of today, and there’s no better platform to start than at schools.
“Children and youth are the two most important groups of people to assist us in addressing this climate change issue because they are the future leaders of this country.
“That is why the Penang Green Council (PGC) is a key engine in driving and realising green initiatives in the state, regardless of age and background of a person.
“It is our call, especially the schools, to help in the formation of responsible and civilised young citizens to become mature people that will continue to advocate for a cleaner and greener Penang,” Chow said in his speech earlier.
The Penang Green School Awards (ASH 2023) was launched by the Penang government in 2010.
Now in its 14th year, the initiative is a collaboration with both local councils, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
Some of the main objectives of the initiative are to inculcate love for the environment in students and the community, as well as to educate them on the importance of environmental conservation and protection.
Meanwhile, 15 top-performing registered preschools and kindergartens that were shortlisted as incentive recipients received RM500 and a certificate each under the Penang Green Kindy Incentive.
The programme was launched by the state government in 2019.
Similarly, several primary and secondary schools also were recognised under the Toray Recycling Competition 2023 &+ (AND PLUS) competition.
Organised by Toray Industries, Inc. (Malaysia), in collaboration with PGC, the competition is about collecting PET plastic bottles, which will be recycled into synthetic fibres for use in the textile industry.
Also present during the event were state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, MBSP mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and PGC general manager Josephine Tan Mei Ling.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat