Guiding students to become agents of environmental change

JOHOR BARU: Property Group SP Setia knows that youths can be effective agents of change, so it is working with schools to raise interest in the environment, says SP Setia Bhd and SP Setia Foundation chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin.

“We are targeting schoolchildren because they can become agents of change in making the world a better place for all,” he told reporters during SP Setia World Environment Day 2018, which had the theme Beat Plastic Pollution.

The event at Setia Tropika Convention Centre in Taman Setia Tropika here involved 80 pupils from SK Kota Dalam, SK Felda Bukit Permai, SJKC See Long and SJKT Ladang Kulai Besar in Johor.

The four schools are among the 12 adopted under the SP Setia Foundations Setia Caring Schools Programme (SCSP).

The other SCSP schools are located in the Klang Valley and Penang.

Participants enjoyed activities such as story-telling, drawing, DIY products using recycled materials and question-and-answer sessions related to the environment.

Dr Wan Zahid said the company adopted schools located in rural areas and plantations because it wanted to engage with pupils outside urban areas and teach them the importance of taking care of the environment.

“For this year’s event, we aimed to raise awareness about planetary health,” he said.

“We need to expose young students to alternative solutions and behaviours that discourage plastic consumption,” he added.

Dr Wan Zahid said the company’s World Environment Day had been an annual event since 2008.

“Over the years, we have built a solid network involving our employees, local community, volunteers, teachers and parents who are passionate about environmental issues,” he said.

Also present at the event were SP Setia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Khor Chap Jen and deputy president and chief operating officer Datuk Wong Tuck Wai.