Eco-knights programme launched to help pre-schoolers keep Singapore clean and green

Today Online 24 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE — Pre-schoolers in the Central District will soon learn how to take ownership when it comes to keeping Singapore clean and green.

Through the “I’m An Eco-Knight” programme, pre-schoolers will find out about the 3Rs of waste management — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle — as well as dengue prevention, personal hygiene and energy efficiency.

The National Environment Agency and Central Singapore Community Development Council will reach out to 30 pre-schools in the first year, and aim to cover all 122 kindergartens in the district over a three-year period.

Each pre-schooler will be provided with an educational package where they will be exposed to tasks of varying difficulties that challenge them to learn beyond the classroom and utilise the content in the booklet.

Students who complete the required tasks provided in the activity cards and accumulate sufficient credits may be awarded a badge by his or her teacher.

Pre-schoolers are also encouraged to be environment ambassadors by sharing simple messages with their friends and families.

The programme was launched yesterday by Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing, Mayor for Central Singapore District Denise Phua and NEA’s deputy chief executive officer Khoo Seow Poh at the Central Clean & Green Singapore Carnival.

At the event, Mr Chan also presented the Clean and Green 2014 Awards, the Central Singapore O.N.E. Awards and Project Earth Awards to 13 recipients from the Central Singapore District.

Another 38 awards were given to recognise cleaners for their contributions towards environmental sustainability and public health.

Central District preschoolers to learn to go green
Channel NewsAsia 23 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: Preschoolers in the Central District will soon learn how to take ownership when it comes to keeping Singapore clean and green.

Through the "I'm An Eco-Knight" programme, preschoolers will find out about the 3Rs of waste management - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle; as well as dengue prevention, personal hygiene and energy efficiency.

The National Environment Agency and Central Singapore Community Development Council will reach out to 30 preschools in the first year, and aim to cover all 122 kindergartens in the district over a three-year period.

Each preschooler will be provided with an educational package where they will be exposed to tasks of varying difficulties that challenge them to learn beyond the classroom and utilise the content in the booklet.

Students who complete the required tasks provided in the activity cards and accumulate sufficient credits may be awarded a badge by his or her teacher.

Pre-schoolers are also encouraged to be environment ambassadors by sharing simple messages with their friends and families.

The programme was launched on Sunday (23 Nov) by Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing, Mayor for Central Singapore District Denise Phua and NEA's deputy chief executive officer Khoo Seow Poh at the Central Clean & Green Singapore Carnival.

"At Central Singapore District, environmental issues are one of the key causes that we champion,” said Ms Phua. “Through our own programmes and partnerships with organisations such as NEA, we hope to instill an appreciation for a more environmentally-sustainable lifestyle and encourage everyone to minimise waste by reducing, refusing, reusing and recycling. Be it collectively or individually, we can all do our part to help make Singapore a livable and sustainable city."

At Sunday's event, Mr Chan also presented the Clean and Green 2014 Awards, the Central Singapore O.N.E. Awards and Project Earth Awards to 13 recipients from the Central Singapore District. Another 38 awards were given to recognise cleaners for their contributions towards environmental sustainability and public health.

- CNA/xq