(Seated, from left) Star Media Group Berhad client brand marketing general manager Kenny Yeap, SMK Tarcisian Convent principal Noriha Nawawi, TNB Perak retail head Mohd Suhairi Mohammad Shah, TNB Perak retail customer and partner engagement lead Mohd Rohaizan Shamsudin and Star Media Group Berhad client brand marketing team lead Belinda Lim during the launch of the ‘Powering The Future’ school engagement series Perak edition, at SMK Tarcisian Convent in Ipoh on Aug 29.
IPOH: With global warming being one of the main factors for climate change, there is a need for energy-efficient habits to be practised for the future generation.
Thus, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), in collaboration with strategic media partner Star Media Group, initiated the “Powering The Future” school engagement series to create awareness and educate children on energy consumption, promoting sustainable practices and emphasising the importance of energy safety.
Useful exercise
The series’ Perak edition was launched at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tarcisian Convent here on Aug 29, which saw the participation of about 70 Form Three pupils at the school.
During the event, the pupils were divided into teams and challenged to achieve the lowest amount of electricity usage.
Facilitators from Make A Difference (MAD) showed the pupils how to estimate the electricity consumption of household equipment and the impact it has on the total electricity bill. Through the simulation, the pupils came up with solutions to reduce their electricity usage.
SMK Tarcisian Convent principal Noriha Nawawi lauded the event and hoped that the series could be expanded further to more schools.
Noriha said she believes that the series was beneficial to the younger generation as it enhances their awareness towards efficient electricity usage.
SK Methodist (ACS) students were keen to participate in the interactive sessions conducted by MAD facilitators.
“The activities conducted employed a hands-on approach whereby the participants are fully engaged and focused in it.
“From the things they learn, they can apply it at home and also share with their family members.
“I think the programme should continue and also be held in more schools so that more youth can learn and benefit from it,” she said.
Noriha said the school also regularly emphasises to its pupils about conserving electricity on the premises, especially in their classrooms.
Power conservation
The “Powering The Future” series will aid in this endeavour, as it reinforces these principles.
“We always remind all classes, which have their own class committee, to ensure the fans and lights are switched off to prevent wastage.
“If the room is bright enough, they are to turn off the lights,” she said, adding that it was also for the pupils’ safety.
The “Powering The Future” series is part of the Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme, launched by the former Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry.
It was created to help school children understand the importance of energy transition to renewable energy while fostering lifelong energy-efficient habits.
Extending to other schools
This year, the series has since expanded, with 61 schools from six states (an average of 10 schools per state), which include Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Johor and Penang.
SMK Anderson students working together to estimate the energy consumption of household equipment.
Other schools that also participated in the “Powering the Future” series in Perak included Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tarcisian Convent, SK Manjoi (Satu), SK Manjoi (Dua), SK Methodist (ACS), SK St Michael, SMK Anderson, SMK St Michael, SMK Methodist (ACS) and SMK Dr Megat Khas.
The upcoming locations for the school engagement series will be in Johor and Penang.
TNB Perak retail head Mohd Suhairi Mohammad Shah said he hopes pupils who participated in the programme would learn more about efficient electricity usage.
Ways to save on energy
He added that the participants of the series can learn to differentiate the types of energy-saving equipment at home.
“As pupils, can you study in the dark? Do we need a bright spotlight to study?
“Lights need not be too bright, as long as it is at a comfortable level and suitable for studies,” he said in his speech during the launch.
“There are many types of equipment we can use with efficient energy usage capabilities,” he added.
Mohd Suhairi also said that most homes would have air-conditioners and advised for the temperature to be set between 24°C and 26°C.
Mohd Suhairi explains that the participants can also share what they have learnt from the activities during the programme with their family members or their friends, to spread more awareness of sustainable energy consumption practices.
“Share these tips with them on how to better use electricity, which would also help to save up on electricity bills,” he said.
“Energy saving will also help us conserve the environment for our future generations,” he added.
