Heng urges students to be advocates of a clean S’pore

SINGAPORE — Education Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday kicked off the Keep Singapore Clean Movement in Schools, saying students here could become role models and advocates of a clean Singapore to the people around them.

Mr Heng was speaking at Woodgrove Secondary School during the launch of the programme, which would call on students to propose ideas to keep the school and neighbourhood clean and put their ideas into action on a sustained basis. Through this initiative, students can learn to take ownership of the places they frequent, such as the school compound and common areas in the neighbourhood, by keeping them clean.

Students in several schools have adopted spaces within their compounds that they will keep clean. For example, Marsiling Primary School pupils are responsible for their classrooms and the school’s common areas, while Damai Secondary School has adopted public waterways to maintain.

Mr Heng said: “Through the Keep Singapore Clean Movement in Schools, students can learn to take ownership of our community spaces and our Singapore. Students can become role models and advocates of a clean Singapore to their classmates, family members and people in the community.

“It will help students develop empathy and responsibility, a sense of belonging and commitment to the community, as well as a deep understanding of our interdependence.”

The movement is organised in partnership with the Public Hygiene Council (PHC), which will provide schools with resources such as litter-picking toolkits and advice on areas that may be potential littering hot spots.

Next year, the PHC will give every Primary 4 pupil a checklist to reflect on their habits and how these affect the environment. Every Primary 5 pupil will be given a postcard to write to their Primary 1 to 4 juniors to encourage them to practise good habits.

PHC chairman Liak Teng Lit said: “Keeping Singapore clean requires a concerted effort from all. With the strong support from students ... I believe we are a step closer to becoming a truly clean Singapore, not just a cleaned one.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA