By Mu Vitet

KOTA KINABALU: The Environmentally Friendly School Programme (Serasi) has created a positive impact on schools across the state, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai.

“We can now see school environments that are harmonious, cheerful, clean, organised, and adopting green concepts,” she said.

Practices such as recycling, efficient energy use, the creation of various themed gardens, community engagement (outreach), and the integration of environmental aspects into school curricula and co-curricular activities, along with active parental involvement, have become synonymous with the Serasi programme, she added.

She said this during the Serasi Award Ceremony for the 2024/2025 session held at a hotel.

Several recognitions have been awarded to Serasi schools in Sabah at both national and international levels.

These include the Environmental Award (Sustainable School) organised by the Department of Environment Malaysia, awarded to SJKC Chi Hwa, Sandakan (2006); SJKC Cheng Ming, Keningau (2016); SK Lambidan, Kuala Penyu (2022); SJKC Tai Tong, Sandakan (2024); and SM St Patrick, Tawau (2024).

The Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award, organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and UNESCO, was awarded to SM St Patrick, Tawau (2018).

The ASEAN Eco Schools Award, organised by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was awarded to SM St Michael, Penampang, and SM St Patrick, Tawau (2023).

The Langkawi Award, organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, was presented to Puan Jennifer Asing, an Excellent Principal currently serving at SMK Limbanak, Penampang (2024).

Josie said this year the Serasi Student Award was also introduced to recognise the dedicated efforts of students in greening and beautifying their school environments.

The Serasi Programme is a state initiative introduced in 2003. It serves as a form of recognition for schools in Sabah that practise environmental preservation.

KOTA KINABALU:  Sekolah Menengah (SM) St Patrick Tawau mengungguli Kategori Anugerah Wira Serasi peringkat sekolah menengah bandar sempena Sambutan Hari Alam Sekitar Negara 2021.

Mereka membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM5,000, trofi dan sijil, manakala tempat kedua dimenangi oleh SM Holy Trinity Tawau dengan hadiah RM4,000, trofi beserta sijil. 

Kategori Wira Serasi Sekolah Menengah Luar Bandar pula diraih SMK Bukit Garam II Kinabatangan,  diikuti SMK Umas-Umas Tawau dan SMK Beluran di tempat kedua dan ketiga dengan hadiah masing-masing RM5,000, RM4,000 dan RM3,000 serta trofi.

Sementara itu, empat sekolah iaitu SJK Chi Hwa Sandakan, SJK (C) Sin Hwa Tawau, SMK Tawau dan SM St Michael Penampang turut membawa pulang hadiah RM1,500, trofi dan sijil apabila diumum sebagai penerima Anugerah Mentor Serasi.

Majlis Anugerah Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (SERASI) secara maya itu dirasmikan oleh Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, disini semalam.

Majlis tersebut turut menyaksikan SK Kg Simunul Semporna diikuti SK Tanjung Batu Keramat Tawau dan SK Lahad Datu IV Lahad Datu dianugerahkan sebagai penerima Anugerah Harapan Serasi (Sekolah Rendah – Bandar), manakala bagi kategori Anugerah Harapan Serasi (Sekolah Rendah – Luar Bandar) dimenangi SK Kinaluan Tambunan sebagai johan dan SK Sin Boon Sindumin sebagai naib johan.

Sementara itu, SMK Muhibbah Sandakan muncul juara untuk Anugerah Harapan Serasi (Sekolah Menengah – Bandar), disusuli SMK Taman Tun Fuad Kota Kinabalu dan Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tawau.

Turut merai kemenangan, SMK Abaka Tawau muncul johan Anugerah Harapan Serasi (Sekolah Menengah – Luar Bandar) diikuti SMKA Mohd Ali Ranau, SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin. 

Dalam pada itu, sebanyak 11 kategori menengah dan rendah diumumkan iaitu Lukisan Digital, Video Pendek Alam Sekitar, Pedalaman Challenge Seni Visual, Anugerah Khas Inovasi Sekolah serta Anugerah Khas Perubahan Iklim dan Sustainable Development Goals.  

Menurut Jafry, melalui SERASI, banyak sekolah telah berjaya meraih pelbagai anugerah alam sekitar di peringkat kebangsaan dan antarabangsa antaranya Projek Five Green Programme oleh SM St Patrick Tawau yang terpilih sebagai pemenang bagi 2020 Southeast Asian ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO), manakala SMK Kunak Jaya muncul sebagai naib johan dengan Japan ESD Award nertemakan “Addressing Plastic Problems for Transforming Communities”.

Tambahnya, anugerah khas yang diperkenalkan pada kali ini bersesuaian dengan keadaan pandemik sekarang yang menyebabkan semua penyertaan bagi pertandingan itu dikemukakan kepada pihak penganjur secara dalam talian atau melalui pos./Penerangan-