On April 1, 2024, Water Watch Penang (WWP) successfully carried out the ‘Negalitres for Schools’ River and Water Education Programme at SJKC Eok Hua. The program engaged 53 students and 16 teachers from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
Mr. Hanson Yeoh, the WWP Programme Officer, along with assistance from interns – Mr. Dane Lim Chiu Tong, Ms. Nur Atiqah Binti Roslan, and Ms. Nur Fatin Azahara, initiated the session with an enlightening presentation. This presentation offered insights into the organization’s history, objectives, and previous projects. Subsequently, the students were introduced to the global water crisis, followed by discussions on national and local water crises.
Next, Mr. Hanson emphasized that despite Penang’s limited water resources and the lowest water tariff, it has the highest water consumption in Malaysia. The students were introduced to the main dams in Penang, and it was highlighted that the primary sources of water supply in Penang are from Sungai Muda in Kedah. These facts enhance the students’ understanding as residents of Penang, deepening their awareness of the state’s water challenges.
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.
The students also participated in a quiz session where the lucky winners received coloring books.
Mr. Hanson Yeoh 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 expresses gratitude to SJKC Eok Hua for granting permission and cooperating in facilitating this educational talk at their school.
For additional information, please reach out to WWP’s Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern, at hong.wwp@gmail.com, or contact WWP directly at +6019-5751253.