KUALA BELAIT, 16 OCT – A total of 100 students from Chung Hua Secondary School (CHMS), St John’s School and St James’ School participated in the School Green Day Program at CHMS Kuala Belait.
The program sponsored by Gleneagles Jerudong Park Medical Center (JPMC) and run by Curious Mind aims to educate students about climate change, sustainability and its impact on the ocean.
The program strives to build a generation that is more aware of the environment by providing high school and higher education students with knowledge about the causes, effects and solutions to climate change, as well as promoting sustainability practices. Students are also encouraged to pass on that knowledge to their families, making them agents of change in the community.
According to Gleneagles JPMC’s Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Manager, Dayang Rusydina binti Haji Junaidi, “Gleneagles JPMC has started sustainability measures as part of our internal practices. We are aware of our responsibility to lead by example, including waste reduction in hospitals. Through this corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, we hope to increase awareness among the community.”
During the two days of the program, students were introduced to the basics of climate change, including the contributing factors to greenhouse gas emissions.
They also participated in an art activity using recycled paper to create a mural that conveyed an important message about caring for the ocean.
The program also emphasized the urgent need for responsible consumption practices, given that Brunei ranks second in ASEAN in waste generation per capita.
Workshops on responsible use of plastic and sustainable fashion were also held, where students were taught how to recycle and reuse plastic materials that have been used and understand the negative impact of waste on the environment.
Entering its second year of organization, the School Green Day Program is supported by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe), the Brunei Climate Change Council and the Ministry of Education. The program has involved 10 institutions this year with the support of platinum sponsor, Cosmopolitan College and is expected to reach 15 schools by the end of the year.
