Promoting Energy-Saving through “One Class, One Garden”

Lai Cheng August 22, 2024 0 Comments
SMK Kampong Kastam Butterworth’s ‘One Class, One Garden’ project yields big savings. “Our electricity bill has been reduced from an average of RM5,000 in May 2023 to about RM4,000 in May 2024. This is among the positive results of collaborating with CAP,” says teacher Lydia Lirek Anyie.

SMK Kampong Kastam Butterworth in Penang – one of several schools involved in CAP’s energy-saving project – is seeing a positive outcome from various energy-saving initiatives implemented in the school. One big difference seen is in the school’s monthly electricity bill, which is now RM1,000 lower than a year before.

A teacher and some students from the school share their successful energy conservation story below.

TEACHER Lydia Lirek Anyie:

“Go green” and “save energy” have always been part of our school’s co-curricular activities. It was implemented through various projects in the school. When CAP contacted us to work on an energy-saving project, teachers and students welcomed it because we believe that the more we work together for a cause, the more fruitful it will be.

To improve ventilation, windows are opened in all classrooms, and curtains are fixed as a shield from the heat.

The appointment of energy monitors increased the sense of responsibility among the students. A few students personally came and requested energy monitor badges from me because they too wanted to relish the role of energy monitors. These energy monitors functioned in full swing, and the result has made the whole school proud. We had seen a significant decrease in our electricity bill from an average of RM5,000 in May 2023 to an average of RM4,000 in May 2024. This is among the positive results of collaborating with CAP.

In our school, lights and fans are switched off during recess and after school. The tinted glass in the staff room gives protection from the stifling heat. Reminders were sent to all to set the air conditioner’s temperature to not less than 23°C. This has helped to cut a portion of the electricity bill. We hold a weekly briefing to remind the students and the school community of the urgent need to use electricity wisely. We have turned the activity of switching off the lights and fans in the classroom into a competition to increase the participation of the students.

Curtains of a precise length are used to prevent direct heat from open windows in the classrooms.

We also have curtains fixed in all of our classrooms. The curtains are of precise length to prevent direct heat and improve ventilation, thus creating a conducive ambience for learning.

Stickers are pasted on walls to remind students to turn off the lights (and also fans) during recess and after school.

“In all our energy-saving initiatives, we incorporate the green squad so that students understand how energy-saving and green activities are interconnected. They should also be conscious of the need to focus on both to achieve the desired result. The “one class, one plant” project proposed by CAP has been upgraded to ‘one class, one garden’ in our school. Students are encouraged to use recycled containers such as detergent bottles, tyres and other similar items for planting. The containers are cut to the desired size and shape and painted with beautiful pictures. Students take full responsibility for caring for the plants, watering them, and tending to them.

Big signs are placed on the wall to remind students to save electricity.

During weekends when school is closed, the plants are placed outside the classroom to receive adequate sunlight. With various plants adorning the classroom, oxygen supply is guaranteed. This provides a comfortable learning environment for students. These are some of our activities that help reduce the use of air conditioner, regardless of how small their contribution is.

For students who showed dedication and performed well, I graded them for good manners in SSDM (Sistem Sahsiah Diri Murid). The encouragement from the teachers has resulted in the excellent performance of the students, and we hope to see a continuous reduction in our electricity bill.

Energy-saving and green activities are interconnected. CAP officer Theeban Gunasekaran showing students the proper way to grow healthy plants.

Form 3 STUDENT Belicia Ana a/p Decruez Gabrial:

As a member of the Green Squad at SMK Kampong Kastam, I participate in simple activities like turning off lights and fans. The act may be small, but it plays a significant role in saving energy. I also spread awareness among school friends about saving energy. When communicating with other students, I realised they were willing to listen and cooperate, probably because we were in the same age group. The knowledge I gained in school, I shared with my mother. She was content because I was part of the squad educating on energy savings. My mother has started putting into practice several tips I shared with her, such as waiting until the washing machine is full to wash clothes and reducing the use of a heater for bathing. We are committed to this not only to reduce electricity bills but also to save the earth.

To help reduce the use of air conditioners, plants are grown to cool the air. During weekends when school is closed, the plants are placed outside the classroom to receive adequate sunlight.

Form 3 STUDENT Melissa Lee binti Muhammad Firdaus Lee:

The electrical appliance I use most at home is the computer. I use it for studying and for entertainment purposes. In school, the electrical appliance I use the most is the fan. We experience high temperatures in our country, and most of us cannot survive without a fan. But it should be turned off when no one is around. Whenever I walk past an empty classroom, if the fan is on, I switch it off. It is my instant reaction without much deliberation. Other students cooperate well to save energy.

(Left to right): Students Ong Tze Honn, Melissa Lee binti Muhammad Firdaus Lee, Belicia Ana a/p Decruez Gabrial and Lee Wei Zhi with their teacher Lydia Lirek Anyie, with plants propagated in the school compound for use in classrooms.

Form 5 STUDENT Lee Wei Zhi:

Initially, when our teacher introduced the idea of saving electricity, the first thing that came to mind was saving the environment. We learned from our teachers that electricity generation causes pollution. After learning about the impact, I am more mindful now and switch off the electrical appliances when not using them. That way, I could help reduce the school’s electricity bill and also save the environment. In May 2023, our electricity bill was RM5,300 and decreased to RM4,092 in May 2024. The reduction rate of about 23% made us all happy because our efforts have started bearing fruit. As we are all aware, the temperature of the earth has been rapidly increasing. If we practise saving electricity from now on, we can reduce the greenhouse effect and cool our planet. By saving electricity, we avoid wasting natural resources.

 

CAP officer Saraswathi Odian giving students useful tips on energy-saving.

Form 5 STUDENT Ong Tze Honn:

As the head prefect of the school and chairperson of the Green Squad Council, I was asked by my teacher, Lydia, to participate in the project aimed at making our school a greener place. Reducing the electricity bill at the school is part of our project. Initially, I thought, ‘Isn’t it easy to reduce electricity by simply switching off?’ Soon, I learned there was more to it than just switching off. It has far more to do with the attitude of the students. Their cooperation is of the utmost importance in determining the success of the task. In our efforts to reduce electricity, we receive support from our teachers and students. Teachers spread awareness during assembly and encouraged students to participate in all the energy-saving programs. I am satisfied that most students in our school comply with the energy-saving rules.