Strong Support and Collective Effort Make Energy-Saving a Success
SK St Xavier, Ayer Itam in Penang receives full support from the entire school community which has enabled it to successfully create active participation and promote energy-saving behaviours among teachers and students. The collective efforts of everyone in the school have helped to make the school more energy-efficient today.
“Full Support from Parents-Teachers Association for Energy-Saving Initiatives” – SENIOR COCURRICULAR ASSISTANT Dr Sinawati binti Zain
Energy-saving is a wise move to save electricity and money. With guidance and ideas from the Consumers Association of Penang, we assigned energy monitors and developed guidelines for students to follow. In our school, lights must be switched off by 7.00 am. The fans can only be switched on after 9.00 am, as before that, the weather was still cool. The fan’s speed must not be increased by more than 3 because the faster it spins, the more electricity it consumes.
The energy monitors are the last to leave the class after checking that the lights and fans are turned off. The headmaster or senior assistant will do a round for the final check. Classes that did not turn off the light or fan are not allowed to switch on the fan at 9.00 am the next day. They have to wait until 10 a.m. to turn on the fan.
The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) fully supports us in all our endeavours. The parents of the students were content with our energy-saving initiatives because at home they noticed their children switching off the lights and fans without the parents pestering them to do so. Especially those students appointed as energy monitors – they exhibited the same traits they exhibited in school in their homes too. The appointment as an energy monitor is a proud recognition for them. After being awarded a badge, the energy monitors carry out their duties with full dedication.
For the class that showed adherence and efficiency in saving energy, the PTA gave prizes to appreciate and recognise their effort. These prizes are given every 6 months.
Since the commencement of the energy-saving programme, our electricity bills have shown a slight reduction every month. The bill saw a sudden increase after the School Management Board (Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah) presented an air conditioner for the teachers’ room. After that, the bills showed more or less the same amount as a result of our electricity-saving measures.
Energy-saving activities help reduce electricity and subsequently the electricity bill. We are also more concerned about the long-term impact. It is more about inculcating values such as avoiding waste and appreciating what we have been blessed with. After participating in the energy-saving programme, students are more alert about saving energy and understand how it shapes the future.
“I’m more aware of saving energy now” – Standard 6 STUDENT Lee Jian Shuo
After this useful energy-saving program at our school, I am more concerned about switching off the fans and lights when not using them. We don’t need to use air conditioners during the cold weather. We should also turn off the lights when the place is bright enough. As energy monitors, we help each other carry out our duties to reduce electricity.
“5-star products help save electricity” – Standard 6 STUDENT Havinash Swaran
I learned about 5-star electrical products that help reduce electricity. In the future, I will use such products to contribute to energy efficiency. My friends and I, as energy monitors, carry out our duty with full dedication. Saving electricity is important to reduce the bill. It also helps to reduce the effects of climate change.