SK TEMONYONG MAKES HISTORY, JOINS GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY VIDEO INITIATIVE

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Temonyong in Langkawi, Kedah has made history after being selected as one of seven schools worldwide to produce video content promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

Programme coordinator Gurpreet Kaur said the five-minute video will highlight the school’s sustainability initiatives as part of the Eco-Schools programme, managed by Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF) in Malaysia.

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The video, to be submitted by the end of this month, will be featured on the official website of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a UNESCO partner in promoting ESD, serving as a global reference for sustainability education.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, as many schools across the country submitted entries, but SK Temonyong was selected as the sole representative from Southeast Asia. This acknowledges our commitment to effective ESD implementation.

“This recognition is even more meaningful as we come from a small island in northern Malaysia. The FEE valued our content creation approach, recording quality and diverse sustainability projects, which set us apart from other schools,” she told Bernama recently.

According to Gurpreet, the achievement aligns with SK Temonyong’s milestone of completing all seven steps of the Eco-Schools’ Seven-Step Framework, earning the prestigious Green Flag Award in December 2024.

“Over 300 students from Years Three to Six, alongside teachers, support staff, NGOs and the local community, have been actively involved in projects to maintain a green environment at the school.

“Our key sustainability initiatives include stingless bee farming, a mini paddy field, food waste composting, an edible garden and a mind wellness garden. Most recently, we also developed a rainwater harvesting system,” she said.

Gurpreet, who also leads the school’s public relations for the programme, said the video aims to serve as an educational tool explaining the seven steps of the Green Flag programme. SK Temonyong has been tasked with documenting the final step, namely Eco-Code.

“Eco-Code is a key element in the FEE’s Eco-Schools programme, representing a visual commitment through posters or slogans to highlight the school’s dedication to sustainability.

“Therefore, we are incorporating murals, logos and a song titled Pulau Ku Sayang, composed by Izal Herman Jamaludin in Malay, to showcase our language and culture to the global stage,” she said.

With the motto Where Green Dreams Grow, the school hopes not just to share a message but to embed sustainable practices in daily life.

“Our students understand that climate change is not a future problem - it is happening now and demands immediate action. They are gaining confidence in sharing knowledge, conducting site visits and discussing climate change with peers and the community,” she said.

The English Language teacher added that international engagement has broadened students’ perspectives, inspiring them to take proactive steps in tackling environmental issues.

“The spirit of positive competition also drives students to seek innovative solutions to climate change challenges. We hope more schools will adopt similar sustainability education initiatives, ensuring future generations are more aware of climate change and the need for conservation,” she said.

-- BERNAMA