All Set to Reduce Electricity Bill Despite Challenges

Lai Cheng August 30, 2024 0 Comments
Energy-saving talk in progress – CAP visits the school to impart useful tips on saving energy that every student can practise.

SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee, Penang is committed in continuing the school’s green journey towards environmental sustainability in spite of some setbacks faced along the way. Due to inevitable factors, cost reduction has yet to be seen in the school’s electricity bill, but this does not dissuade students and teachers here from continuing with their daily routine of saving energy.

To the educators, the positive behavioural changes and educational benefits from the awareness raised in the school’s energy conservation initiatives are worth every minute of their efforts towards creating a sustainable school environment.

The energy-saving measures implemented in the school also have impacts on the larger community, with teachers and students putting into practice all that they have learnt about energy saving in school, in their own homes.

A large number of students at CAP’s energy-saving talk in the school.

“We turned off electricity for 1 hour on Earth Hour day” – TEACHER Chitradevi Govendasamy

I have been leading the green activities at my school for the past 8 years. Students in our school were familiar with energy-saving concepts even before CAP approached us on this. Though not extensive, we imparted energy-saving awareness through our green school activities. Later, with CAP’s involvement, we diversified our activities to create more impact.

Around 24 students were selected as energy monitors to guide other students in learning energy-saving methods and to understand the importance of their activities in tackling climate change. The badges presented to them serve as a constant reminder to perform their duty without fail. The first thing we emphasised in our school was that when students are not around, the electrical appliances must be switched off immediately, which is the easiest and most practical way to save electricity. The activities help cut electrical expenses. It also makes students more conscious of their surroundings, and it is our earnest hope that the same alertness will be channelled towards other crucial things in their daily lives.

This is how you do it: CAP officer Theeban Gunasekaran giving students important tips on growing healthy plants to protect the environment.

Though SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee took all the measures to reduce electricity usage, with the ongoing construction work to upgrade the school buildings, there is no reduction in the electricity bill as the energy supply for the construction work was sourced from the school. To guard the school properties during construction work, we installed a few spotlights, which also consume a significant amount of electricity. These are some of the inevitable situations where our activities could not show the actual result for the amount of effort put in by the students.

In conjunction with the celebration of Earth Hour on March 22, we encouraged students to turn off electricity for 1 hour, from 8.00 to 9.00 pm. The students complied and observed the Earth Hour at home. The parents were happy that the children had an opportunity to learn good values.

I also took this opportunity to make my family members be without energy for one hour on Earth Hour. At first, they resisted, saying it was meaningless, as they had to let go of their important tasks and favourite TV serials. I convinced them to participate by explaining how their simple effort could help reduce the impact of climate change and make the earth more liveable. The 1 hour that we stayed together with candlelight turned out to be a moment for us to have heart-to-heart conversations and ponder more serious environmental issues that affect our lives. By the end of the 1 hour, my sister said our house with the heat-emitting light and other electrical gadgets turned off had become more cooling.

CAP’s “Save Energy” guide in 3 languages given to the school as part of CAP and the school’s joint energy conservation project.

I make it a point to practise­ what I preach to my students. This is an ongoing mission for every teacher and every school. Such values should be inculcated in all students if we want to create a larger impact.

“Everyone in school is now mindful of reducing energy use” – Standard 6 STUDENT Pavaleny A/P Arimamani

When my teacher introduced the idea of saving electricity, I started to think about how to reduce electricity use. The appliances I use most in school are computers, smart panels and projectors. The electrical appliances I use at home are a TV, tablet, phone and laptop.

After learning about saving electricity, I turn off the lights and fans when not using them and open the windows for natural air. I also pull out the plugs that are not frequently used after learning that they consume a small amount of electricity.

I am happy with the unexpectedly high level of cooperation received from other students when we, the energy monitors, implemented the rules to save electricity. My classmates assist me in checking that the lights and fans are off in the classroom.

Before implementing the project, they were not so mindful, but now I can see that they have changed for the better. My parents are happy that I have started saving electricity.

A pledge for sustainability: “We will save energy in our daily lives”, say the students.

“Trees and plants reduce the need for air-conditioners” – Standard 6 STUDENT Shawindran A/L Nauk Karasu                                                          

I shared all the energy-saving tips I learned at school with family members, including my grandfather. With my useful input, we took steps to reduce electricity usage. My grandfather enjoys gardening. He has planted many trees and plants around the house. My house is naturally cool because we receive ample oxygen from the surrounding trees. The trees reduce the need for air conditioners for our family. Before I leave for school, I enjoy the fresh morning air.