CAP’s Organic Waste Management Programme in School

Lai Cheng January 22, 2026 0 Comments
Saraswathi Devi Odian explaining the composting method by showing the dry leaves to the students.

Venue: SJKC Chong Teik, Balik Pulau, Penang

Date: 21 January 2026

Approximately 120 students from Standards 4, 5 and 6 of SJKC Chong Teik participated in an Organic Waste Management workshop that included interactive activities and demonstrations.

Students playing and at the same time understanding the food chain through an explanation from the CAP education officer.

The session began with an activity designed to help students identify various plant species found within the school compound. A chilli plant was displayed, and students were invited to guess the type of plant. Only one student was able to identify it correctly.

Next, young edible okra and mature okra pods containing seeds were shown for comparison. Students discussed the differences between the two stages, and many correctly explained that young okra is suitable for consumption, while mature okra is left to obtain seeds. A follow-up question was posed on whether every seed collected from a mature okra pod would grow into an okra plant. This sparked curiosity among the students, as most were initially unsure and unable to provide an accurate answer.

Students explaining one of the food web cards as an insect predator he is wearing.
Setting up the pipe composting on the soil together with the students.

To enhance students’ understanding, a video on root growth was shown to demonstrate how a seed searches for a suitable pathway to penetrate the soil. The importance of good soil conditions in supporting healthy root development was explained. Students were also introduced to the role of natural composting materials in improving soil structure and fertility.

A web-based interactive game was then conducted to help students understand the interdependence between living and non-living components required for plant growth. This was followed by a hands-on demonstration of various composting methods, including domestic composting units, pipe composting, and open-space composting.

Overall, the programme successfully achieved its objectives by raising awareness of composting practices and highlighting the crucial role of microorganisms in improving soil health. At the conclusion of the programme, Standard Four students were selected by the teacher-in-charge to take responsibility for maintaining the newly established composting unit in the school garden.

A student adding food waste such as fruit peels into the composting pipe.
A group photo taken with the pipe composting unit.