This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Project paper

John Pillai

1994

John P. (1994). Project paper. In AMIC‑ECOS Seminar on Urbanization, Sustainable Development and the Media: Singapore, Apr 8‑9, 1994. Singapore: Asian Media Information and Communication Centre. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93185

Downloaded on 26 Sep 2021 22:20:21 SGT ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Project Paper

By

John Pillai

Paper No.16 ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

oNE W STRAITS TIMES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION in collaboration with MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Patron of Protect: YB DatuK Amar Cr Suiaiman Daua. =duc30on Minister Malaysia Chief Adviser : Datuk Dr Wan Monc Zania Mona Noordin. Director-General of Education

PROJECT PAPER

by

JOHN PELLAI New Straits Times specialist writer and Organising Secretary New Straits Times National Environmental Education ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Young Action for the Future: Saving the Earth through Environmental Education

By

JOHN PILLAT

Thousands of students in Malaysia, a small multi-racial independent democracy in Southeast Asia, are setting a fine example doing their bit to help the environment and save the Earth.

The students whose ages range from six to 23 years, are planting trees, setting up nature gardens and mini-parks, cleaning up rivers and lakes, collecting old newspapers and other items for recycling and carrying out various other activities to protect, promote and preserve the environment.

And all these on-going activities are being carried out under a massive national-level project launched in February 1992 jointly by the Education Ministry of Malaysia and the nation's leading English language daily newspaper, the New Straits Times.

The project is known as the National Environmental Education Programme.

The newspaper's parent company. The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, (NSTP) assigned this writer to prepare a detailed project paper on how the company could collaborate with the Malaysian Education Ministry, the private sector and voluntary non-governmental organisations to inculcate love for the environment and cultivate positive attitudes in the young generation of Malaysia through simple but practical hands-on activities.

A project paper on this was prepared and presented by this writer to the Malaysian Education Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud explaining how this aim was to be achieved.

The project has been given the full blessing by his Ministry and is being actively promoted in the country's primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools, teacher-training colleges and universities. The Minister is the patron of the whole project, and the Director-General of Education of Malaysia, Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Zahid Mohamad Noordin is the Chief Adviser.

The projecf s main objectives are instilling environmental awareness and appreciation, and laying the foundation for generating a society which will have the knowledge and the capability to care for and act responsibly to protect the environment.

The approach is a very informal and action-oriented one. The formal aspect of teaching environmental education through an integrated approach is left to the classroom teacher.

And since the launching of the project, thousands of students throughout the country, both from Government as well as private education institutions, have shown their strong commitment to environmental action.

The students have formed Environmental Clubs and are carrying out a host of activities.

The boys and girls and turning any bare piece of land they find in their school compound into environmentally friendly gardens.

They bring to their schools seedlings, flowering plants and natural fertilisers made through compost; and working on week-ends and during their free time give their school compounds a garden-like atmosphere.

To encourage as many students as possible to take part in this project known as School-ih-a- ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Garden, a nation-wide competion was held to see which schools in the country could come with the most innovative gardens from the environmental and educational point of view.

This competition was sponsored by Malaysia's leading oil company, Petronas (Petronas Nasional Berhad). Attractive prizes were given.

Another major activity being carried out by the students is the collection of old newspapers to be sold for recycling.

The students bring old newspapers from their homes to their schools. Vans and lorries are sent by the NSTP to the schools to collect these papers. They are weighed and sold to private companies dealing with recycling.

The money obtained from the sale is given back to the schools to enable them to carry out more environmental activities. A portion of the money is used by NSTP to supply on a daily basis current copies of its newspapers to the schools.

To date, almost two metric tons of old newspapers have been collected under this programme. And hopefully, some trees would be saved somewhere.

It is our hope that this programme will help to harness the energies of these young people _ the decision-makers of tomorrow for environmental action and thus catalyse others into more environmental action, triggering a multiplier reaction from the school compound to the community and to the nation.

Copies of the project paper have been sent to all schools, colleges and universities. The writer also goes round the country giving talks and explaining what the project is all about to various education institutions.

"* Nation-wide publicity is further given through regular articles and photographs which are published in the various newspapers of the NSTP, such as The New Straits Times, Malay Mail, New Sunday Times, Sunday Mail, Berita Harian, Berita Minggu, Harian Metro and Shin Min Daily News.

Another interesting activity being carried out (at the moment on a small scale but later to be expanded) is to help clean up some sections of rivers, beaches and compounds in residential areas.

They collect various items of litter, put them in refuse bags and place them at designated collection points.

The students carefully identify the items they collect, classifying them into biodegradable and non­ biodegradable ones. They also trace the source of the pollutants — usually houses and factories by the river banks.

The NST gets sponsors to provide snacks and drinks for the students when they embark on such projects. The students write reports, complete with maps, charts, photographs, etc of all their projects. They will submit these later in the year as entries for yet another competition to be organised.

An interesting development of the whole project is that the students are getting spontaneous support from Parent-Teacher Associations, Residential Associations, commercial houses, Non- Governmental Organisations and even individuals.

It is our hope to get as many students as possiblein Malaysia's 10,000 primary and 5,000 secondary schools, 28 teacher-training colleges and the seven universities to take part Current indications are very encouragiong.

By making them play a role for nature, we hope to nurture the students to be fully aware of the importance of the environment. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

By making them personally do something for the environment, it is hoped that they will acquire more knowledge and skills and develop positive values and attitudes.

In short, we are training and preparing our young people to save the Earth by caring for it now.

(*John Pillai is a journalist specialising in issues pertaining to Environment, Drug Abuse and Education. He is a former high school teacher. Currently he is also the Orgainsing Secretary/Project Coordinator of the National Environmental Education Programme. For another major project that he undertook in the 1980s, called Newspaper in Education, he was awarded the First Prize by Unesco- Asian Cultural Organisation for promoting literacy through the newspaper.) ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

EW STRAITS TIMES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Editorial Department Balai Berita 31,Jalan Riong 59100 Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA

Dear

National Environmental Education Programme

I am happy to inform you that I have formulated a national-level environmental education programme for students at all levels in Malaysia — primary, secondary, teacher-training college and university. The main aim is to inculcate love for the environment by encouraging the students to participate in simple but action-oriented programmes designed to protect and promote the environment. <• / am very happy to inform you that I have discussed my project paper with the Minister of Education of Malaysia, Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud who officially launched this project on February 22nd 1992. I am also happy to inform you that the Ministry of Education has accepted my project paper and has asked all schools/colleges/etc in Malaysia to support this environmental education project. I am carrying out this important project for the New Straits Times, Malaysia's leading English daily newspaper. I enclose herewith a copy of my project paper.

Yours sincerely,

New Straits Times National Environmental Education ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

0 NEW STRAITS TIMES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

By John Pillai New Straits Times Specialist Writer & New Straits Times National Environmental Education Organising Secretary

This major national-level project is part of the New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad's contribution to the nation as a responsible corporate citizen. It is being organised jointly with the Ministry of Education of Malaysia. It was officially launched by Datuk Amar Dr Sulai- man Daud, the Minister of Education of Malaysia on February 22,1992 at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Secondary School in Kuala -Lumpur. Objectives The main objectives of the project are: * Instilling environmental awareness and appreciation * Laying the foundation for generating a society which will have the knowledge and the capability to care for and^act responsibly to protect our environment. Method The objectives are to be achieved by encouraging students to carry out simple but meaningful amd interesting activities which contribute towards protecting, promoting and conserv­ ing the environment. Eligibility All primary and secondary schools, teacher-training colleges and universities are eligible to participate in this project It is open to all education institutions, whether Government or private. Environmental Club In order to participate in this project, the institution con­ cerned (i.e. school, college or university) must first form an Environmental Club (or have club whose activities include environment protection/promotion.) Through this club a host of activities and projects may be carried out, all aimed at protecting and promoting the environ­ ment. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Recycling One of the highlights of the activities will be the recycling of waste material, especially newspapers. Students are to bring to their school/college/university back issues of newspapers — New Straits Times, New Sunday Times, Malay Mail, Sunday Mail, Berita Harian, Berita Minggu, Harian Metro, Shin Min Daily News or any other newspaper. The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad will make arrangements for these newspapers to be collected from the school/collegefuniversity on specified days. The NSTP will sell these newspapers to be recycled. The revenue collected will be utilised as follows: (i) Fifty percent of the money will be used to supply to the school, or college or university on a daily basis current newspapers published by the New Straits Times Group. These newspapers will be placed in the students' library or reading room. Students will not only acquire reading habit but also broaden their general knowledge by reading newspapers regularly. (ii) The balance of the money will be donated to the institution for its Environmental Club. The club is free to use this money for any of its own activities. In addition to the above, those participating in the^New Straits Times National Environmental Education will enjoy several exciting benefits. Some of these are:

Primary Schools All participating primary schools will be encouraged to beautify their compound from an environmental point of view. They may have a flower or vegetable garden, a mini nature park or carry out any project to give their school a "green lung" image, or "Sekolah-Dalam Taman" (School-in-a-Garden) atmo­ sphere. They may plant carefully selected trees and carry out simple landscaping if possible. Different parts of the school/college/university compounds will be allocated to different groups of students so that every student will play a personal part in this on-going environmen­ tal education programme. Prizes will be awarded to the schools with innovative and sound projects' The judging will be at three levels where applicable: District Education Level, State Education Level and National Ministry Level. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Secondary Schools All participating secondary schools will be eligible to take part in an Environmental Education Resource Book Competi­ tion. Students will be required to scan the daily newspapers published by the New Straits Times Group. They are to cut out news reports, feature articles, photographs, drawings, graph­ ics, advertisements, etc. of environment-related topics. The students will paste these on the left hand page of an exercise book (or even in a book made by the students themselves.) On the right hand page of this book, the students will write their own comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc, all aimed at protecting our environment. The students should choose one particular theme for their resource book. The theme may be Water, Air, ±iees, Land, etc. Prizes will be awarded to the school which submit the best 10 Environmental Resource Books. The judging will be at State and National Level. This project will stimulate independent research of daily newspapers for relevant articles. This competition will help train the students to maintain important material in a neat and orderly manner. It will cultivate a lot of interest in environmental awareness and appreciation. In addition, secondary schools will also be eligible to partici­ pate in the "Sekolah-Dalam Taman" (School-in-a-Garden) com­ petition like the primary schools.

Tertiary Institutions Students in participating teacher-training colleges and uni­ versities will be encouraged to submit original, innovative, interesting and effective Lesson Plans for teaching Environ­ mental Education topics through an integrated approach. The lessons may be for primary or secondary students. The lessons must be written in exactly the same format as the normal Teaching Practice Lesson Format, (e.g. Subject, Class, Topic, Objective, Previous Knowledge, Teaching Aids, Set Induction, Presentation, Conclusion.) (There are plans too for observation of actual lessons being carried out by the students.) Prizes will be awarded to the most original, effective and lively Lesson Plans. - ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Open Project Students from any level - primary, secondary, college or university ~ will also be eligible to participate in an Environ­ mental Research Project. They may carry out a simple study to find out the type of refuse mdiscriminately thrown into a river/stream/lake during a particular period of time. They will make a list of the items, classifying the biodegrad­ able and the non-biodegradable ones, comment on the prob­ lems caused by these, how these should be disposed of, etc. They are to produce a report of their research, backed by photographs, drawings, maps, etc. The project may also be on other areas and issues such as land clearing and burning, etc. The project is to be carried out by the Environmental Club. Prizes will be awarded for well-researched reports. Jungle Tracking/Nature Study Members of the Environmental Club will be taken by qualified guides to do jungle tracking and nature study tours. They will learn to identify the flora and fauna and make their own notebooks on these. Environmental Education Guide Book Another major item under the New Straits Times National Environmental project is the production of a book specially written for students. This book will contain photographs, drawings, graphics, etc and will explain in simple terms various environmental issues. The main aim of this book will be to help students understand ecology, to appreciate the relation between development and environment, etc. This book will be promoted by the members of the Environ­ mental Club of the School/College/University. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to supply books for the students' libraries and the rest donated to the Environ­ mental Club. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

Patron The Patron of the New Straits Times National Environmen­ tal Education is the Minister of Education of Malaysia, Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud. The Chairman is Encik A.Kadir Jasin, who is the Group Editor of the New Straits T^mes Sendirian Berhad. Panel of Advisers A Panel of Advisers comprising educationists, environmen­ talists, mass media practioners, etc. has been formed. The panelists will meet from time to time and advise the New Straits Times National Environmental Education project or­ ganisers on the smooth implementation ~f the whole project and help in its evaluation. The organising committee reserves the right to change the composition of this panel. The Chairman of this Panel is Encik Khalid Ahmad, who is the Managing Director of The New Straits Times Press (Malay­ sia) Berhad. Supporters Parent-teacher associations, residential associations, private firms, Diplomatic Missions, etc. will be encouraged to support this project.

Further information may be obtained by writing to : The Organising Secretary, New Straits Times National Environmental Education. Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library NEW STRAITS TIMES. SATURDAY. AUGUST 15.1992

EDUCATION, COMMITMENT AND ACTION Fantastic response

to NST projectth e case of some schools such as the Vive- we had expected good reJ­L schools." weigh %Fthem and kanandIn tha Secondary School By John Pillai, sponse from our environ­ sell them to be recycled. in Kuala Lumpur, the stu­ NST writer mentally conscious teach­ Since under the NST pro­ dents* have not only planted ers and students. gramme the money got from flowering trees, but have & organising also created a well-land­ "But the overwhelming the sale of the old newspa­ secretary, pers is given back to the scaped rock garden, com­ support we got and are con­ plete with a mini waterfall, tinuing to get is beyond our school, the students' Envi­ NST National ronmental Club (another fish pond and flower garden. Environmental wildest dreams." Many schools are now do­ And when the Minister item under the NST project) ing this — another pro­ Education launched this project in is able to carry out more gramme actively being en­ February 1992, he said: environmental activities. couraged under the NST T is the best thing that "Committed action, not lip Environmental Education. has ever happened in service, is needed in efforts In fact, some schools are our schools and col­ to protect and promote the utilising the funds to stock A competition with at­ leges. Lots of people environment. their libraries with books tractive prizes will be organ­ I and magazines on environ­ ised to reward schools with may be doing a lot of talking "Merely talking about it, about the environment. holding too many confer­ ment, organising plays with well maintained environ­ ences, or condemning peo­ environmental themes and mentally friendly com Many may be churning carrying out a lot of envi- pounds out volumes of books and ple will not help the envi­ ronment very much. ronmenc-promoting activi­ Most schools allocate dif­ countless documents on the ties. ferent plots of Land within environment "What we want is suitable These students have also the school compound to But, in so far as the New action-oriented pro­ started a major project to groups of students or a par­ Straits Times National En­ grammes by people of all help clean up some sections ticular class to maintain. vironmental Education pro­ ages and from all walks of of the heavily polluted Ker- Thus, during a student's gramme is concerned, hie to protect and promote ayong River, a tributary of school life, he or she will young people are actually the environment" the Klang River. The Ker- personally look after the doing something positive to This project to actively in­ ayong runs parallel to their plants and ensure that they protect, promote, and pre­ volve the young people of school. grow as healthily as the stu­ serve the environment. Malaysia in simple but They sacrifice part of the Yes, it is the best thing sound hands-on activities is - dents themselves. that has ever happened. indeed laudable, added the weekends and school vaca­ Where schools have diffi­ This is the general view of Minister, who is the patron tions to collect the multi­ culties obtaining seedlings pupils, parents, profession­ of the project tude of rubbish thrown into or fertilisers, the NST tries als and the public. The project's main objec­ the river. to get sponsors from the pri­ And just what are the tives are instilling environ­ The items are collected, put in refuse bags and vate sector to donate them young people doing? mental awareness and ap­ to the schools.. They are planting trees. preciation, and laying the placed at a central collec­ They are creating nature foundation for creating a so­ tion point. An encouraging develop­ gardens anu parks and giv­ ciety which will have the This is no mere rubbish- ment since the start of the ing their school compounds knowledge and the capabili­ collecting project. The stu­ NST National Environmen­ a garden-like atmosphere. ty to care and act responsi­ dents carefully identify the tal Education programme is They are helping to clear bly to protect the environ­ items they collect, classify­ that many Parent-Teacher rubbish in compounds, riv­ ment ing them into biodegradable Associations, Residents As­ ers and lakes. The approach is a very and non-biodegradable sociations and even hotels They are collecting tons ones. and commercial houses are of old newspapers and sell­ informal and action-orient­ They also trace the source supporting the project ing them for recycling pur­ ed one as the formal aspect of the pollutants — usually They donate old newspa­ poses and in so doing pray of teaching environmental houses and factories by the pers, trees, fertilisers, gar­ that a few trees may be education through an inte­ river banks. den tools and even offer saved. grated approach is left to The NST gets sponsors to their expertise to help They are.making a seri­ the classroom teacher. provide snacks and drinks schools in their environ­ ous study of the problems . And since the launching mental education pro­ caused by uncaring people of the project in February for the students when they grammes. to the environment, and in 1992, thousands of students embark on such projects. In virtually every State in their own personal and little throughout the country, The students write re­ the country, from urban to spontaneous ways these both from Government as ports, complete with maps, rural area, schools are be­ young people are trying well as private education in- charts, photographs, etc of ginning to start an activity very hard to resolve I stitutions, have shown their all their projects. under the project .them. strong commitment to envi­ They will submit these In short, these young peo­ ronmental action. later in the year as entries In Malaysia, there are ple are carrying out their In the Federal Territory, for a competition to be or­ more than four million stu­ more than 2,000 students ganised by the NST — yet dents in the 10.000 primary from the Taman Desa Sec­ another incentive under the I schools, 5,000 secondary pledge to save the Earth. schools, 28 teacher-training And all these activities ondary School have em­ NST Environmental Educa- ! barked on several environ­ tion programme. colleges and the seven uni • are being promoted under versifies as well as the fast- the joint Education Minis­ mental projects. These students also or­ ganise educational excur­ mushrooming private edu­ try-New Straits Times Na­ cation sector. tional Environmental Edu­ Like thousands of other sions to local nature parks cation involving students in students, they collect old and write reports on the It is the aim of the project primary and secondary newspapers to be sold for state of the environment organisers to encourage as recycling under the NST there schools, teacher-training programme and have just many of these students as colleges and universities handed in their first collec­ Almost all schools and possible to participate. throughout the country. tion — a whopping 15,000 colleges participating in the The whole project has Said Encik A. Kadir Jasin. kilograms! And they are project are also going all out been given a big boost by the group editor of the New still collecting old newspa­ planting carefuliy selected the Education Ministry Straits Times Sdn Bhd: pers. seedlings which will grow which has sent an official "When Education Minister into beautiful trees. Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Vans from the New ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

circular to all its education officers urging them to "give your full support and co-operation to the NST pro­ ject." And commenting on the project in a letter. Francoise Belmont, chief in the office of the executive director of the United Nations Environ­ ment Programme said: The involvement of the young generation as planned in the project will hopefnlly have a positive impact on their im­ mediate environment and the country as a whole in the long run. Your effort is highly commended."

Pupils with a whopping collection of old newspapers for recycling under the environmental programme. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

BERITA HARIAN/SAJBTU 15 OGOS. 1992

Pelajar terbabit juga sudah memulakan projek utama bagi membantu Pelajar membersihkan beberapa bahagian Sungai Kera- yong, yang teruk menga- lami pencemaran. Sungai Kerayong, anak Sungai Klang terletak se- lari dengan Sekolah Me­ cinta nengah Taman Desa. Mereka meogorbankan hujung minggu dan cuti sekolah bagi mengutip timbunan sampah sarap yang dicampakkan ke da­ lam sungai. \ alam sekitar Sampah sarap itu di- Pendekatannya adalah kumpulkan dalam beg berbentuk informal ma- dan diletakkan di satu pu- Oleh John Piliai nakala tindakan formal sat pengumpulan. pula melalui pengajaran Di sini tiada lagi projek pendidikan alam sekitar KINI satu perkembangan mengutip sampah sarap. secara pendekatan berse- Pelajar mengenai pasti positif berlaku di sekolah padu oergantung kepada dan maktab di seluruh ne­ barang yang mereka guru darjah masing-ma- pungut, kemudian menje- gara. sing. Ramai orang mungkin niskannya dalam kategori berminat memperkata- Sejak dilancarkan, beri- biodegradable dan non­ kan mengenai alam seki­ bu-ribu pelajar di seluruh biodegradable. tar. Ramai juga mengha­ negara sama ada dari ins- Mereka juga mengesan silkan buku dan bahan titusi pendidikan keraja- punca pencejsarar — bia- berkaitan dengannya. an atau swasta menunjuk- sanya rumah dan kilang kan komitmen yang berhampiran tabing su­ Tetapi, menerusi prog­ menggalakkan terhadap ngai. ram Pendidikan Alam Se- usahaitu. NST mendapat penaja kitar NST, golongan PEMPROSESAN muda sebenarnya mela- Program Pendidikan bagi menyediakan maka- kukan sesuatu yang posi­ SEMULA Alam Sekitar NST ini nan ringan dan minuman tif ke arah melindungi, membantu menghasilkan bagi pelajar apabila me­ mempertingkat, menga- kumpulan generasi muda reka melancarkan sesuatu wal dan menyayangi alam Dr Sulaiman Daud melan- yang bakal menjadi peng- projek. sekitar. carkan projek ini. kami gubal dasar di hari muka. Pelajar menulis lapo- sudah menjangka ia akan Di Wilayah Persekutuan, ran. lengkap dengan peta, la adalah satu perkara carta dan gambar yang di­ paling baik yang pernah mendapat sambutan lebih 2,000 pelajar dari menggalakkan daripada Sekolah Menengah Ta­ perlukan untuk projek dihasilkan setakat ini. berkenaan. Ini adalah garabaran golongan guru serta pela­ man Desa sudah menja­ umum pelajar, keluarga, jar yang mencintai alam lankan beberapa projek Mereka akan menye- golongan profesional dan sekitar. ! alam sekitar. rahkan laporan itu akhir masyarakat umum. Dan "Tetapi sambutan han- Seperti juga pelajar tahun ini bagi pertandi­ apakah yang dilakukan gat yang kami terima dan lain, mereka mengumpul- ngan yang dianjurkan oleh generasi muda? terus menerus diterima kan akhbar lama untuk di- oleh NST — satu lagi ga- adalah di luar impian." jual bagi diproses semula lakan di bawah Program Mereka menanam po­ Dr Sulaiman dalam uca- di bawah program NST. Pendidikan Alam Sekitar kok. Mereka membina ka- pannya ketika melancar- Koleksi pertama mereka NST. wasan taman dan mewu- kan projek ini Februari berjumlah 15,000 kilo­ Pelajar terbabit juga judkan halaman sekolah lalu berkata tindakan gram sudah diserahkan menganjurkan lawatan ke mereka dengan taman. yang komited dan bukan taman dan menulis lapo­ Mereka juga membantu hanya cakap kosong ada­ dan mereka masih giat ran mengenai keadaan membersihkan sampah lah diperlukan sebagai mengumpulkan akhbar alam sekitar di situ. sarap di halaman sekolah, usaha melindungi serta lama. Sekolah Taman Desa sungai dan taman bunga. meningkatkan kesedaran Kenderaan dari NSTP adalah satu daripada be­ Mereka mengumpulkan terhadap alam sekitar. mengambil akhbar itu berapa sekolah yang men­ akhbar lama dan menjual- "Cakap semata-mata, dari sekolah-sekolah; me- jalankan projek serupa menganjurkan terlalu nimbang dan menjualnya itu. nya untuk diproses se­ Kebanyakan sekolah mula. Mereka menjalan banyak persidangan atau untuk diproses semula : mengkritik orang lain ti­ Wang yang didapati da­ dan maktab perguruan kan kajian mengenai yang terbabit menanam masalah yang berpunca dak akan membantu me­ ripada jualan akhbar itu ningkatkan kesedaran disumbangkan semula ke- biji benih terpilih yang daripada pihak tertentu akan menghasilkan pokok yang tidak bertanggung- terhadap alam sekitar." ada sekolah untuk ta- ung Kelab Alam Sekitar yang cantik. "- jawab terhadap alam se­ Dr Sulaiman yang juga C Sesetengah sekolah se­ kitar. Penaung program berke- Pelajar (satu lagi projek naan berkata. walaupun di bawah NST) bagi mem- perti Sekolah Menengah Sesungguhnya, anak bolehkannya menjalan­ muda ini melaksanakan ia hanya membabitkan Vivekananda di Kuala golongan muda, kegiatan- kan lebih banyak kegia­ Lumpur, pelajar tidak sa- ikrar bagi menyela- nya patut sekali dipuji. tan mengenai alam matkan bumi. haja menanam pokok ber- Objektif utama projek sekitar. bunga tetapi juga mem­ Semua kegiatan ini di- ini ialah menyemaikan majukan dengan keraja- SebenarnyaJL_sesei,ejfc_ bina lanskap taman, kesedaran dan penghar- lengkap dengan air terjun sama Kementerian Pendi­ gaan terhadap alam seki­ gah sekolah mengguna- dikan dan NST kecil, kolam ikan dan ke- tar, di samping meletak- kan dana untuk membeli bun bunga. membabitkan pelajar se­ kan asas melahirkan buku dan majalah menge­ kolah rendah dan menen­ Banyak sekolah sedang masyarakat yang mempu- nai alam sekitar bagi ke- menjalankan program ini gah, guru pelatih maktab nyai pengetahuan dan ke- gunaan perpustakaan se­ perguruan serta univer- kolah, menganjurkan secara aktif yang digalak- siti di seluruh negara. kan di bawah Program bolehan menjaga serta pelbagai pertandingan Pendidikan Alam Sekitar Pengarang Kumpulan bertanggur.gjawab melin- bersangkutan alam seki­ M!sT A Kadir Jasin ber- NST. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library

rik akan dianjurkan bagi menghargai fungsi seko- lah dalam mengekalkan taman untuk memelihara alam sekitar. Kebanyakan sekolah menyediakan plot tanah yang berbeza di dalam ha- lam sekolah kepada kum- pulan pelajar atau kelas tertentu. Pelajar sendiri akan melihat bagaimana hasil tanaman yang mereka usahakan itu tumbuh dan berkembang. Sekolah yang mengha- dapi masalah biji benih atau baja, NST akan ber- usaha mendapatkan pe- naja dari sektor swasta untuk disumbangkan ke­ pada sekolah. Satu perkembangan menggalakkan sejak prog­ ram ini dilancarkan ialah ia mendapat sokongan dari Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG), Persa- tuan-persatuan penduduk serta hotel dan badan per- dagangan. ' Mereka mendermakan akhbar lama, pokok, baja ~ perkakas bagi menyedia­ kan taman serta mena- warkan kepakaran bagi membantu sekolah dalam program pendidikan. Sungguhpun program ini masih baru, pencapa- ian sekolah serta maktab perguruan itu adalah menggalakkan. Hampir di setiap negeri, dari kawa- san bandar ke luar bandar sudah memulakan kegia- tan di bawah projek ini. Di Malaysia, ada lebih empat juta pelajar di 6,600 sekolah rendah, 1,300 sekolah menengah, 28 maktab perguruan dan tujuh universiti serta ko- lej pendidikan swasta yang tumbuh seeprti cen- dawan. Adalah menjadi hasrat pengajur program ini un­ tuk menggalakkan pelajar untuk mengambil baha- gian. ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library :I'SME\" J; KE&P \i / 5 newsletter i-"OR XilA \ND rKE ; W :;• BANGKOK. i'HAiL.V.;;

UN'zP \pril - June 1 '"'i \ i>i. !u. N.

ASIA-PACIFIC SS.M \C -COK }133 SAVING THE EARTH THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Thousands of students in Malaysia are setting an example to improve the environment by planting trees, setting up nature gardens and mini-parks, cleaning up rivers and lakes, collect­ ing old newspapers and other items for recycling, and carrying out other activities. The students, from 6 to 23 years old, are participating in the National Environmental Education Programme, launched in February 1992 by Malaysia's Education Ministry and lliOl'E: Highschool students helping to clean up