Fatimah explaining the benefit of planting trees to pupils during the event at Consumers Association of Penang in Jalan Masjid Negeri, Penang. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Programme teaches schoolchildren to care for environment, adopt sustainable practices
Students from four schools joined a vegetable gardening programme to raise environmental awareness organised by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
The initiative was aimed at cultivating responsibility towards nature while encouraging sustainable practices such as home gardening.
The four participating schools were SK Tanjung Bunga, SJKT Subramaniya Barathee, SMK Convent Green Lane and International School of Penang (Uplands).
Among the participants was Muhammad Aniq Naufal Azlan, 11.
SJKT Subramaniya Barathee students preparing tree saplings for planting.
“I love gardening and it was great being able to join a programme like this,” he said.
The Year Five pupil said he was enthusiastic about gardening because the activity helped keep surroundings green and reminded people of their responsibility to care for the environment.
L. Pavindran, a Year Five pupil from SJKT Subramaniya Barathee, described the programme as a valuable and “green” experience.
“I do gardening at home but participating in this programme enabled me to learn new things, such as the types of soil that suit certain plants,” he said.
He learnt about taking care of the environment and how green surroundings helped preserve nature.
Pavindran says he learnt about soil suitability for gardening.
Pavindran now wants to plant more vegetables such as onion and brinjal at his home in Sungai Nibong.
Form Four student G. Shashmitaa, 16, of SMK Convent Green Lane, said looking at green plants exuded positive vibes.
“We should plant more trees and respect the environment by ensuring existing trees are not harmed,” she said.
Uplands pupil Eliot Kang, eight, from China, said he loved plants and was happy that his mother Agnes Guo took him to join the programme.
“I love being here,” he said.
Sashmitaa says existing trees should not be harmed.
Guo, 33, said it was good that CAP organised such programmes to expose children from a young age on the importance of taking care of the environment.
“We appreciate being part of such a meaningful activity. Such programmes will have an impact on the children’s understanding of environmental care,” she said.
SK Tanjung Bunga science teacher M. Rajasekaran praised the initiative for its dual benefits to the environment and community.
Rajasekaran says the programme benefits the environment and community.M. Rajasekaran ( December 31, 2024 ) ¡ª CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
“This programme is excellent for raising environmental awareness and it helps all of us understand our role in preserving nature.
“Planting more trees is essential to combat global warming and maintain a balanced ecosystem,” he said.
Rajasekaran said instilling environmental consciousness in children at an early age would create a sustainable future, adding that teaching them to plant vegetables was a good start.
Guo says such programmes expose children to the importance of environmental care. ( December 31, 2024 ) ¡ª CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
CAP deputy president Fatimah Idris said it was important to engage children in activities that connected them to the environment.
“This campaign aims to encourage children to grow their own vegetables while raising awareness about the environment,” she said.
“Nature is an integral part of our lives, and it is essential to live in harmony with it.”
She also encouraged Malaysians to start growing their own vegetables, anticipating that rising food prices would pose greater challenges for consumers.
