More eco-schools in Kedah

Going green: (From left) Themudu, Nadeson, Mahadi, Jamilah, Girodon, Ismail, Lim, Ratha Krishnan and Chan pose for a photo after the launch.

A TOTAL of 12 schools in Langkawi will soon join those in Melaka to wave their own “Green Flag” and be known as eco-schools.

The world’s largest sustainable schools programme — The Eco-Schools Programme is expanding to the island after being adopted by more than 300 schools in Malaysia.

WWF-Malaysia is the national operator of the programme, which has been on our shores for the past decade.

The programme in Langkawi will be carried out by Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF) with the support of the Kedah state education department and local and international organisations.Yayasan Sime Darby will be the patron for 10 schools while the programme will be carried out at the other two schools in collaboration with The Datai Langkawi.

WWF-Malaysia executive director and chief executive officer Sophia Lim said: “An understanding of lifecycle and sustainability should be stressed in our education system across all disciplines.

“The world’s population has already consumed many of the planet’s resources in unsustainable ways. Therefore, we are committed to empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to lead a sustainable lifestyle.”GGAF executive director Dr Mahadi Mohamad said the programme gives autonomy to students to drive their own eco-projects that address various environmental issues.

The programme comprises modules under five key elements – eco-schools workshop, environmental action workshop, pedagogy workshop, international collaboration and rewards and recognition.Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar said the programme gives important exposure and experience to Malaysian students by connecting them virtually with their counterparts overseas.

“It also promotes knowledge exchange among teachers who, through this programme, would become competent in the field of environmental education and become change agents among their peers,” he said in a video message during the launch on May 4.

Schools which are actively involved in the programme will be carrying it out in three-year cycle phases – preparation, implementation, and report and award.Many schools have been awarded Green Flags to recognise their effort and contribution to sustainability under the programme.

Also present at the launch were GGAF programme director Sri Themudu, chief executive Balamurugan Ratha Krishnan, WWF-Malaysia head of markets and education Thiagarajan Nadeson, conservation director Dr Henry Chan, The Datai Langkawi general manager Arnaud Girodon, Langkawi education office deputy district education officer Ismail Man and SK Dato Demang Husin headmistress Jamilah Ishak.