School reaping good harvest

Pupils and their teacher tending to the plants at the school garden. There are over 20 types of crops grown using conventional, hydroponic, and aquaponic systems.

AS AN “ecological civilisation” school, SJK (C) Union in George Town, Penang has been running various green projects to inculcate environmental awareness in its 800 pupils.

Headmistress Khaw Chiew Hong said they had planted various trees and vegetables as well as organised recycling projects.

The sustainability efforts continued even when the school was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As a result, we have harvested more than 100kg of vegetables.

“We sell the crops to parents and give the rest away to the school canteen,” she said at the launch of the ecological civilisation primary school programme.

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak was present at the launch.

Khaw said Year Four, Five and Six pupils tend to more than 20 types of crops.

“They include lemongrass, roselle, spinach and mulberry grown using conventional, hydroponic and aquaponic systems,” she said.

“When the school was closed, we relied on an automated watering system and help from the security guards.

“The money we get from selling the vegetables goes into our eco fund.”

During the online teaching and learning process last year, the school also organised a programme to save electricity, water and food.

The school defines ecological civilisation as one that promotes green development as well as a sustainable and healthy society.

SJK (C) Union board chairman Tan Sri Ong Gim Huat, in his speech, said they were actively encouraging other schools to adopt the ecological civilisation programme to create a greener campus and contribute to Mother Earth.