International Webinar IBPSS 3.0

Saturday, 09/04/2022 SMK Convent Butterworth and WWF-Malaysia; RCE Penang; Green Educators’ Workgroup (GREW), SMK Convent Pulau Tikus and SJKC Union jointly organised an online International Webinar on Eco-Schools Programme 2022. Eco-Schools is an international programme of environmental and sustainable developmental education for schools. The programme is structured through a change management process called THE SEVEN STEPS methodology, used by schools to work towards continuous improvement in environmental actions. 

The International Webinar is supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. The opening speech was hosted online by the Deputy Education Minister of Malaysia YB Senator Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon. He lauded the efforts of the organizing schools and stated that it is great programme that would provide a platform for students to harness their leadership skills while championing the environmental issues; enhancing their knowledge and thinking skills and at the same time improving their proficiency in languages. 

The objective of this webinar are to create a platform for sharing and exchanging ideas on best practices in Eco-Schools Programme among schools in Malaysia and abroad, improve pupils communication and leadership skills and to promote team spirit. 

SMK Convent Butterworth shared about turning their school into a beautiful garden with myriad of plants. Participants from Doha English School, Qatar presented on “Back to Basics” explaining the effort of their school to be able to produce 65 variety of plants despite the dry weather and very little rain. Something commendable. Enthusiastic presenters from Henry Park Primary School, Singapore shared on “ Biodiversity and Nature” and it’s absolutely impressive to learn about eco-enzyme. Other participating schools are Convent Pulau Tikus Primary School , Yok Eng Primary School, Bukit Gelugor Primary School , Kheng Tean Primary School ; Delhi Public School and Fathima Central Senior Secondary School , India. 

Nearly 1800 students from all over Malaysia, as well as teachers and students participated online. An Eco-Schools Programme officer from WWF–Malaysia, Miss Mathi Vatani was also invited to share her experiences and to address the questions on environmental issues. 

The event ended with a quiz session for all the students to attain an achievement certificate for their co-curricular marks. The closing speech was delivered by Dr Japareng Lalung, The Coordinator of Regional Centre of Expertise Penang and he congratulated SMK Convent Butterworth , the main organizer for their success and being able to reach more than one thousand participants in Facebook Live.