SJK(C) Shih Chung Cawangan – Consumers Association Penang

*Students planted cooling plants in recycled containers that they painted themselves.*

EMPOWERING STUDENTS AS CHAMPIONS OF ENERGY SAVING

CAP’s energy-saving and conservation programmes in schools this year have yielded encouraging results. Schools that participated in our programmes are now making conscious decisions every day to find ways to save energy and practising efficient energy use.

SJK(C) Shih Chung Cawangan supports CAP’s energy-saving initiative, seeing it as both a valuable financial effort and a meaningful way to nurture environmental responsibility among students.

Teacher Siew Ping Leow elaborates on how CAP’s energy-saving school programme has helped to develop greater environmental awareness in the school, and across the community:

I am truly excited and fully support CAP’s initiative to introduce energy-saving practices in our school. This effort is not only financially beneficial but also crucial in educating the younger generation about environmental sustainability.

*A meaningful pledge by a student displayed on a self-made tree in the school.*

Our school has implemented several meaningful steps including a “Switch Off” campaign to turn off lights and fans after use, creating awareness posters, holding a comic-drawing activity on energy conservation, setting up an energy information corner and appointing students as “Power Rangers” to monitor energy use in their respective classrooms.

One of the main challenges has been changing old habits such as forgetting to turn off switches and ensuring that both students and teachers remain consistently aware of energy-saving practices in their daily routines.

Despite this, our students have shown great enthusiasm. For example, they actively remind one another to switch off lights during break time and also record monthly electricity usage as part of a special class assignment.

Within two months of launching these efforts, we observed a noticeable decrease in our electricity bills. Although the reduction was not drastic it reflected a positive shift in behaviour.

In months when reductions were not observed this may have been due to continued use of high-energy appliances such as air conditioners in the office or lab or because some switches were left on after outdoor activities.

In the long term, we believe these practices will help students develop energy-saving habits, foster a sense of environmental responsibility and encourage them to become wise and ethical consumers.

Our school is committed to continuing this programme as it aligns with our sustainable school policy. We plan to integrate these efforts into our environmental club’s annual activities and embed them in daily teaching and learning.

*Ms Siew Ping Leow, teacher at SJK(C) Shih Chung Cawangan*

On a personal note, I have replaced regular bulbs with LED lights, set timers for fan usage and taught my family members to switch off appliances when not in use. My family has been supportive and together we are cultivating new responsible habits.

Students have also begun to share in their daily reflections that they now switch off fans when leaving the room, avoid charging phones overnight and even advise their parents on energy-saving at home.

Our school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has been very supportive of this initiative. They are also spreading awareness among parents encouraging them to adopt similar energy-saving measures at home.

Overall, our students are becoming more disciplined, environmentally conscious and are beginning to take personal responsibility for their actions. This initiative has also helped them develop critical thinking and make more thoughtful decisions.