MIRI: The 2018/2019 Serasi (Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar) or Environmental-Friendly School Awards recognised and awarded 16 schools and two teachers statewide for their continuous efforts in educating and raising awareness of the importance of caring for the environment and natural resources.
Two students were also awarded with the inaugural Student Icon Award —Voon Sen Yu of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) and Katerina Cheria Jambai (former student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan [SMK] Bandar Bintulu), who is currently pursuing her studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Kota Samarahan.
The presentation ceremony took place today at the Miri Marriott Resort and Spa here, graced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Serasi is a premier state environmental award to recognise schools for their environmental excellence.
It is organised and run by the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDeNR), Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), in collaboration with the Education Department and relevant agencies.
For the 2018/2019 seasons, 608 schools from Sarawak, comprising 85 secondary and 523 primary school students competed in six categories — ‘Star Special Award’, ‘Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards’ and ‘Teacher’s Award’, in addition to three new awards introduced in this edition — the ‘Hope Award’, ‘Student Icon Award’ and ‘Project Award’.
“Sustainability is key towards persevering the environment, our natural resources and achieving an ecological balance.
“Creating a positive culture by instilling personal awareness and accountability towards the environment and how we conserve natural resources are the key steps to success.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the young generation of today balancing innovation and creativity in an economically, environmentally and socially friendly manner,” said Shell MDS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Amir Bakar.
Also in attendance were Assistant Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Minister Datuk Len Talif Saleh, NREB controller Justine Jok Jau Emang, Kenny Poon of MUDeNR, Muhammad Syahmi Tan Abdullah of Miri District Education and acting Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf.
Since its inception in 2004 and over the years, Serasi has become a popular award and it has attracted interest among the school communities, both urban and rural schools, in their environmental initiatives.
Judging is done biennially, and prizes are awarded based on environmental management, environmental awareness efforts, cleanliness, beautification, school greening, project creativity and innovation, and sustainability of the initiatives.
