THE Penang Green School Award 2023 (Penang island division) has targeted the participation of over 100 schools this year.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said last year’s programme saw the participation of six secondary schools and 38 primary schools on Penang island.
“The Penang Green School Award received an encouraging response from the schools, and this year, we hope to attract more schools,” Rajendran said in his speech during the Penang Green School Award 2023 (Penang island division) briefing session in Komtar today.
He said the world is now facing crucial global warming.
“The young generation plays a critical role in addressing the impact of global warming through green practices in their daily lives.
“They are the leaders of the future, and we must nurture them now.
“We have seen many potentials in the young generation. We can discover more through this environmental audit programme,” he said.
The Penang government first launched the Green School Award in 2010, in collaboration with MBPP and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP). All primary and secondary schools in Penang (except for international schools) can take part in the programme.
Rajendran also thanked E&O Berhad for being the main sponsor for the programme on Penang island. E&O Berhad sponsored RM30,000.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo praised the teachers for their sacrifices.
“We must thank our teachers for imparting their knowledge to our children. Without our teachers, there would be no education,” he said.
Jagdeep also said he has instructed both local councils (MBPP and MBSP) to focus on improving waste management efforts.
“Besides that, I am happy to note that 158 schools on Penang island will be helping the state plant 20 saplings each.
“With this effort, Penang will have an additional 3,160 trees.
“We laud such a good cause which will help our mission to plant 500,000 trees in Penang by 2030. Now we have planted about 442,000 trees and I believe that we can meet our target.
“Having more trees in Penang is one of the ways for us to combat weather crisis,” Jagdeep said.
According to the programme details, schools that register for the first time will receive RM300.
The online registration is now open, and the deadline is July 31.
For more details, visit https://www.pgc.com.my/2020/penang-green-school-award/