On April 18, 2024, Water Watch Penang (WWP) successfully conducted the ‘Negalitres for Schools’ River and Water Education Programme at SJK (C) Pai Chai. The program engaged a total of 48 students and 3 teachers from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm. Mr. Hanson Yeoh, the WWP Programme Officer, led the session, supported by WWP interns Mr. Dane Lim Chiu Tong, Ms. Fatin Azahara, and Ms. Nur Atiqah.
The session began with an informative overview of WWP’s mission and past activities. It then delved into discussions on global, national, and local water crises, emphasizing water scarcity as a collective challenge requiring unified action. The focus shifted to Penang’s own water scarcity issues, highlighting Sungai Muda in Kedah as its primary water source, underscoring the pressing nature of the situation.
Moreover, Mr. Hanson compared local and international water tariffs, highlighting Malaysia’s significant water consumption and the imperative for Malaysian participation in addressing this matter. A concise yet pivotal instructional video demonstrated the proper handwashing method, emphasizing the use of soap with the tap turned off and promoting the efficiency of self-closing taps. Furthermore, Mr. Hanson provided detailed explanations on the biological assessment for evaluating river water quality by using the method of capturing macroinvertebrates, also known as bioindicators, such as prawns, crayfish, and nymphs found within the river ecosystem.
Interactive quizzes held during the session kept an enthusiastic ambiance, with students receiving coloring books from Water Watch Penang for their active participation. In the final session, the students brought their water bills from home to calculate their individual water consumption accurately. Mr. Hanson Yeoh and the interns provided instructions for this activity. Through this interactive segment, students became aware of and familiar with the ideal daily water usage suitable for them.
Water Watch Penang extends its gratitude to SJK (C) Pai Chai for hosting this enlightening session at their school. For further inquiries, please contact WWP’s Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern, at hong.wwp@gmail.com, or directly reach out to WWP at +6019-5751253.
‘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).