Schools share experiences in green education

MANJOI: SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun hosted its inaugural "Bainun International Smart Partnership Week (BISPW) 2011" recently.

The programme, which carries the theme "Spreading Awareness: Saving Tomorrow", offers opportunities to local and foreign schools to share the initiatives that they have taken to spread environmental awareness to students, teachers and society.

School principal Mustaffa Shaari said he was proud of the participants' commitment to join hands to promote global awareness, and to sustain, preserve and conserve the environment and natural heritage.

"Educating students has never been more challenging. We need to engage and connect with each other to learn and share the values and ideals.

"Global challengers, be it social, political or economic, should not be a hindrance for us to come together as rational and responsible citizens of the world."

In this context, Mustaffa said schools should help to promote positive and true ideals through networking, linkages and connectedness.

"In this way ideas, talents and skills can be exploited and enhanced positively by engaging in various programmes and activities," he added.

Thirty-one students and 10 teachers of SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, SMK Gunung Rapat, SMK Tarcian Convent, Sekolah Tunku Abdul Rahman and SMK (P) George, Penang, took part in the six-day programme.

Foreign participants from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand also took part.

The programme was launched by the Education Ministry's fully residential and excellence school management division deputy director Jamelah Mansor.

She added that the main aim of the programme was to educate the younger generation about the importance of conserving our precious natural heritage.

"This aim is in line with the Vision 2020 and education development master plan which is to produce highly competitive human capital with good self-esteem. It is also one of the aspirations of the country," added Jamelah.

"The networking and linkages will help students from different countries and states to form bonds with each other," said Jamelah.

"They will be able to learn and appreciate the different lifestyles, beliefs and culture of others."

BISPW 2011 is opening doors to allow students to get to know one another, think globally and apply knowledge acquired through the programme to good use.

It is hoped that the participants will acquire a competitive nature, discipline and confidence, while molding themselves into a dynamic Y-generation as envisioned in the Education Development Master Plan through their involvement in the programme.

Source: Kalavaani Karupiah