On March 25th, 2024, Water Watch Penang (WWP) successfully executed the “Negalitres for Schools” River and Water Education Program at SJKC Nung Min. 63 students and 11 teachers participated in this program from 8:15 am to 9:45 am.
Mr. Hanson Yeoh, the Programme Officer of Water Watch Penang (WWP), along with assistance from WWP interns – Ms. Nur Atiqah Binti Roslan, Ms. Nur Fatin Azahara, and Mr. Dane Lim Chiu Tong – initiated the program by outlining the organization’s objectives, background, and achievements. Subsequently, students were introduced to the global water crisis, with a particular emphasis on the challenges faced by African nations in obtaining clean water, utilizing the narrative of the storybook “The Water Princess.” Mr. Hanson Yeoh vividly conveyed the story’s content, deepening the student’s impression of the preciousness of water resources. The discussion then shifted to local and national water challenges, with a specific focus on Penang. Addressing a local concern, Mr. Hanson highlighted Penang’s low water tariff and its potential to encourage wasteful practices.
Additionally, Mr. Hanson Yeoh introduced to the students the biological assessment of river water quality. He showcased images and videos of these organisms, sparking the student’s interest. They learned about the significance of macroinvertebrates in assessing the health of a river ecosystem.
Quizzes were administered during the session, and students who answered correctly were rewarded with coloring books as a reward. Mr. Hanson Yeoh also emphasized various water-saving techniques that can be implemented both in the classroom and at home to enhance student’s understanding of water conservation. One such technique discussed was the installation of an automated push tap in the school as part of the “Negalitres for Schools Programme.” The presentation concluded with an interactive segment, enabling students to calculate their individual water consumption using their water bills and teaching them the ideal daily water usage. It is worth mentioning that we found the water usage in students’ households to be very ideal.
Water Watch Penang is grateful to SJKC Nung Min for their cooperation and permission to host this informative lecture at their school.
For further information, please contact WWP directly at +6019-5751253 or by email at hong.wwp@gmail.com to obtain more information from Dr. Hong Chern Wern, the Executive Manager of the organization.
‘Negalitres for Schools,’ launched on March 22, 2022, was coordinated by WWP in partnership with Intel Corporation and CLEAN International, with collaboration from Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and PBAPP. This project is fully funded by CLEAN International Inc. and Intel Corporation and is supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Penang State Education Department. Local partners include the Penang State Government through Penang Green Council, PBAPP, and the Green Educators Workgroup (GREW).