Water Watch Penang (WWP) successfully held the “Negalitres for Schools” River and Water Education Program at SMK Jelutong on August 20, 2024. The event ran from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and involved nearly 200 students from Form 1 to Form 3. The objectives of this program were to raise awareness among students about global water challenges and the importance of minimizing water consumption. WWP Education Officers, Ms. Atiqah and Ms. Fatin Azahara, were the presenters of this event, with assistance from three interns—Ms. Fatin Amira, Ms. Husna, and Ms. Khor Ci Shan.
The program began with Ms. Fatin Azahara providing a brief overview of WWP’s objectives and past projects. Through her interaction with the students, she delivered a valuable presentation, helping participants learn about the factors contributing to local, national, and international water crises. The students also discovered that Penang’s low water prices encourage water-wasting practices, leading to Penangites having the highest water consumption of any state in Malaysia.
Following this, Ms. Atiqah explained the functions of rivers and discussed the biological, chemical, and physical factors involved in assessing water quality. Students were taught how to calculate water bills to better understand daily water consumption, which helped them become more conscious of their water usage. Additionally, they were shown how to use water-saving taps correctly and introduced to various water-saving techniques and tools. Quizzes were given to participants, and those who answered correctly received prizes from WWP.
WWP is grateful to SMK Jelutong for collaborating with WWP on this educational event. ‘Negalitres for Schools,’ launched on 22 March 2022, was coordinated by WWP in partnership with Intel Corporation, CLEAN International, and in collaboration with Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and PBAPP. This project is fully funded by CLEAN International Inc. and Intel Corporation and is also supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Penang State Education Department. The local partners involved are the Penang State Government through the Penang Green Council, PBAPP, and the Green Educators Workgroup (GREW).
For further inquiries, please contact WWP’s Executive Manager, Dr. Hong Chern Wern, at hong.wwp@gmail.com, or reach out to WWP directly at +6019-5751253.