The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.108)

2019 • 03 24 Ever since her appointment as Principal of SJK (C) Yu Chai in 2016, Yee Chon Moi has been utilizing various creative methods to implement environmental education in her school, demonstrating the different approaches to doing recycling in schools. The students’ awareness of environmental protection has gradually improved over three years of carrying out waste- reducing initiatives in the school. The Making of an Environmentally-Friendly School pecial Feature Reported by Tzu Chi Documenting Team Translated by Woon Xiao Rui Photographs by Lee Heng Lun L ocated among lush greenery in Ulu Beranang, a 30-minute drive away from the hustle and bustle of Seremban, is SJK (C) Yu Chai. The primary school hosts 84 students and 18 teachers, all of whom are recycling warriors. The school is well-equipped despite its relatively limited space. Beside the guardhouse next to the school entrance lies a small room. “This is our recycling room. It also serves as a multipurpose store room,” explained Principal Yee Chon Moi. The school’s science lab not only doubles up as a computer lab, but also houses a recycling corner, where information on recycling is posted on a bulletin board, and used batteries are collected in a small bottle. The beginnings of environmental education Chon Moi’s recycling journey started in the 90s, when she was a teacher at SJK (C) Kampung Seri Sikamat. Back then, she collected recyclable paper products like used drawing pads and exercise books, with only a vague understanding of the concept of recycling. To her, this entailed selling recyclables in exchange for a small income. She would use the money earned to buy small gifts for Yee Chon Moi, the teachers and students with their reusable lunch boxes and handkerchiefs.