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SMK Convent Butterworth and SJK (C) Mak Mandin were adjudged the winners of the Penang Green School Award 2022 for Penang secondary and primary schools respectively at the prize presentation ceremony in Komtar today.
Both schools won RM5,000 plus a certificate each.
SMK Convent Pulau Tikus, which is closing down at the end of this month, emerged as the runner-up in the secondary school category while SK Balik Pulau was declared the runner-up in the primary school category. They were each awarded RM3,000 and a certificate.
State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who is in charge of the state welfare and environment, said the key objective of the programme since it started in 2010 has been to inculcate love for the environment in students, and the community as a whole.
It was launched by the state government through the Penang Green Council in collaboration with both Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council.
He said the future belongs to the young and that is why they even get the kindergarten children to be involved in the programme.
“All the children are the apples in the eyes of the parents. They can convince the parents more than we. So, the children and parents can together achieve something. When we get the schools to take part, the PIBG (parent-teacher associations) also come out to support the children.
“Therefore, it is now the so-called inclusive approach to the environmental issue.
“In short, it is undeniably important to teach our children about environmental awareness. We must equip our children with the necessary tools to behave in a responsible and informed way towards the environment. After all, it’s the future generation that will be most affected by our actions. It’s time for us to reflect and act now.
“Do not think that you alone cannot help make a difference. Everyone must be committed, and everyone must take the first step to make a difference,” Phee said in his speech.
He also thanked Penang Green Council (PGC), Penang Development Corporation (PDC), MBPP, MBSP, PBA Holdings Bhd, Toray Industries (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, all the participating schools and sponsors for making the event a success.
Also present at the ceremony were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, PDC deputy chief executive officer (management) Abdul Latiff Abd Aziz, PBA Holdings Bhd chief financial officer Dr Mary Ann Harris, Penfibre managing director Hiraoki Matsubara and Penang Green Council assistant general manager Hoo Huey Ching.
A total of 114 schools – 44 from the island and 70 from the mainland – participated in the programme last year. Out of the 114 schools, six schools from both the island and mainland were selected as winners for different categories. For Penang Green Kindy Incentive 2022, the top 10 registered preschools with the highest marks were rewarded with incentives worth RM500 and a certificate each.
PGC general manager Josephine Tan Mei Ling said the Penang Green School programme has been introduced for 13 years because they want to play a part in ensuring a sustainable future for every child.
“Environmental education provides important opportunities for students to engage in real-world issues that transcend classroom walls.
“Knowledge and education have the power to change our mindset and improve the way we live, and environmental protection is an important part that we should not miss out on. Therefore, the mission to protect our environment shouldn’t stop here.
“Our future depends on our actions, big or small. All actions count. We must act now before it is too late, and this is why we are all here today – with a mission. No man is an island, each of us has a role to play to ensure we do not pass the world beyond repair to future generations. Together, we can be the game changer!” Tan said.
Abdul Latitff said PDC was proud to see that the competition has attracted more and more schools every year since it started its collaboration with the organisers four years ago.
After the prize presentation, Phee, Tan, Abdul Latiff and Dr Mary Ann launched the Penang Green School Award logo.
This was followed by the introduction of a new competition, called Toray &+ (And Plus) Recycling Competition 2023 Penang, in conjunction with the launching of the Penang Green School Award 2023.
Both Phee and Tan thanked Toray for their sponsoring the competition which offers a total prize money of RM20,000.
Tan said PET plastic bottles will be collected from schools via a school recycling competition, to be recycled into synthetic fibre for use in the apparel industry to support the concept of a circular economy.
Toray Group (Malaysia) chief representative Datuk Teh Hock Soon said the collected bottles would be processed into flakes and chips to become raw materials for use in their company (Penfibre) to make recycled polyester staple fibre.
These recycled fibres, he said, would then be spun, weaved and manufactured into fabrics for use as shirting and suiting materials in another of their companies, called Penfabric.
The competition will be open to pupils from all secondary as well as primary schools in Penang. All they have to do is collect as many used PET bottles as possible and bring them to the collection centres at their respective schools. This competition will run until the end of the year and the person or school that collects the most bottles will receive a significant cash prize as well as other exciting rewards.
“I believe this competition will not only help to reduce plastic pollution, but it will also raise awareness among the public, especially the school children about the importance of recycling and waste reduction.
“It is a small step towards a sustainable future, but it is an important one. Let’s do our part to protect our planet and create a better future for the generations to come,” he said.
RESULTS:
Penang Green School Awards 2022
Primary School: SJKC Mak Mandin (winner), SK Balik Pulau (runner-up)
Secondary School: SMK Convent Butterworth (winner), SMK Convent Pulau Tikus (runner-up)
Category winners:
Natural resource efficiency: SJKC Sin Chung (primary school), SMK Convent Pulau Tikus (secondary school).
Innovation & Creativity: SJKC Perempuan Cina (primary school), SMK Berapit (secondary school)
Cleanliness & Greenery: SK (P) Methodist (primary school), SMK Jelutong (secondary school)
Digital Engagement & Community: SJKC Mak Mandin (primary school), SMK Convent Butterworth (secondary school).
Green Kindy Incentive 2022 (top 10 winners): Prasekolah SK Bukit Gelugor, Prasekolah Wawasan SJKC Mak Mandin, Prasekolah SK Sg Batu, Tadika Seri Comel Nibong Tebal, Prasekolah SJKT Bayan Lepas, Prasekolah SJKT Bukit Mertajam, Tadika Genius Dinamik, Tadika Buddhist Tzu Chi (Jln Macalister), D’Monte Child Care and Development Centre (Tmn Sri Nibong), Tadika Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua Sekolah Lee Chee.
Aquasave Winners 2022
SJKT Bayan Lepas, SJKC Sin Chung, SJKC Perempuan Cina, SK Seri Gemilang, SK (P) Methodist, SK Taman Impian, SJKC Pulau Betong, SJKC Mak Mandin, SMK Convent Pulau Tikus, SMK Bakti, SMK Berapit, SMK Jelutong, SMK Guar Perahu, SMK Convent Pulau Tikus, SK Balik Pulau.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting