The students at Kranji Primary School travelled across Singapore – quite literally – from Yew Tee to Tampines to Jurong Lake Gardens, to learn how they can play a part in Singapore’s sustainability efforts.
The school is in partnership with EM Services, an estate and property management company which currently serves nine town councils in Singapore. Its work with the People’s Association (PA) allows students to learn more about the facilities managed by PA.
New partnership, new perspectives
On this occasion in May 2024, the Primary 4 students received a guided tour of Our Tampines Hub (OTH), which PA manages. There, they witnessed innovative waste management approaches in practice. OTH collects food waste from the hawker centre, which are taken into an digester that breaks down the food through natural decomposition.
This ignited the curiosity of the young visitors.
“They asked many questions!” says Mr Andy Chew, a representative from EM Services. “Our guides were equally happy to provide in-depth explanations.”
By interacting directly with the facility and receiving in-depth explanations from expert guides, EM Services hopes students will gain significant insights into the complex operations, add Mr Chew.
Lai Shuen Eu, one of the student visitors, says, “I was shocked by the huge amounts of food disposed. It was also cool to see how this waste can be converted into useful resources such as plant fertilisers.”
“More importantly, I learnt to play my part. This learning journey taught me that small actions can help with sustainability efforts. I will start by ordering the right amount of food to prevent waste!”
Previous student cohorts had learnt similarly about eco-stewardship and sustainability efforts through their learning journeys with EM Services. The bonus? These topics complement what the students learn in class.
For example, as part of the Primary 5 Science curriculum, students spend a few weeks learning about the water cycle and concepts of water conservation. This is because EM Services’ expertise covers the process of water drainage and collection in housing estates.
For the well-being of the planet
The aim of this and similar community partnerships is to go beyond piquing students’ interest in green issues. “We introduce them to the possibility of a green career!” says Miss Loh Jun Qin, the school’s Level Head of Science.
Guest speakers, comprising industry experts from EM Services and even members of the Parent Support Group, are invited to share their expertise in environmental services during the school’s Education and Career Guidance (ECG) Day.
The school hopes that these efforts help students shape their understanding, values and actions towards a more sustainable future.
“The learning journeys and ECG talks help students draw the link between what they learn in the classroom, and its application outside of the classroom. I’ve seen some of them widen their eyes when they find out about the interesting careers in area of STEM and sustainability. A career in eco-farming, for example, has that effect.” STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Mr Chew from EM Services concludes, “Ultimately, we aim to inspire students, we aim to inspire a commitment to sustainable living that extends beyond academic settings into everyday life. They contribute to the long-term well-being of our planet and future generations.”
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