Teaching Students Energy Conservation Helps Shape Them into Responsible Citizens
SK Dato Kramat in Penang has good reasons to be happy. The school’s energy-saving project, which CAP helped to initiate, is producing the desired results – students there are now fully aware of how their daily energy-saving actions help in conserving natural resources and helping the environment. There is a continuous reduction in the school’s electricity bill. And students have now become more responsible.
“Our students now take energy-saving seriously” – Senior Cocurricular Assistant Dhanyalakshmi Arjunan
“In November 2023, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) had a talk session in our school about energy conservation as a move to protect the environment. Ever since, with the support of our Headmaster, we have made every effort to reduce electricity usage in SK Dato Kramat, Penang. Our school assembly is a constant platform for talking about energy-saving methods and suggesting ways to reduce electricity use.
The existing green school project in our school eased our task as we could easily incorporate energy-saving activities into this project. The students appointed as energy monitors and presented with badges are performing well. One significant change after the commencement of energy-saving measures is the air conditioning temperature, which was previously set at 21°C and is now raised to 24°-25°C.
“Before this, when all students were in the field, and when we noticed that the light was on in the class, it was normal for students to take it lightly. However, after the energy-saving programme by CAP and the constant awareness created by the teachers, it became a serious issue to let the lights and fans on when no one was in the classroom. The students immediately rush to switch them off. Such is the impact created by this awareness programme, and I feel this is ample evidence that our efforts are starting to bear fruit.
“I have noticed that in many instances, only one student enters the restroom and switches on all 5 lights but forgets to switch them off upon leaving the toilet. We pinpointed this in the assembly. Addressing the problem by focusing on the behaviour of students is much more impactful because it compels them to think. The changes may be slow, but they are sure to take place. The continuous reduction in our electricity bill bears testimony to this.
Once a parent came to me and said, “My child, who is in Standard Two, asked me to switch off the fan and lights at home just because he was appointed as an energy monitor in the school. The parent was beaming with pride when mentioning this. When we give responsibility to students (appointing them as energy monitors), it boosts their self-esteem and motivates them to play their role effectively.
In addition, younger children readily assimilate the values that we instil in them. So, the save energy messages must be inculcated at the primary level, as we are doing now in our school. The value that is imparted in school transfers to their home as well. One student shared her view that if we could save electricity and reduce the bill, the money could be channelled to other beneficial activities.
Such a simple energy-saving activity could foster constructive thinking in the student. This is part of the moulding of a student (kemenjadian murid), which we strive for in our schools.
Raising awareness about energy conservation measures is a slow process. The issue we address here may be energy-saving, but it surely leads to the holistic development of a child. They become responsible citizens who could address many other social issues in the future.