A school in Chantaburi has been honoured as a model school for its environmental programmes.
Wat Nong Khan (Jai Phitthayakhan) School began separating its litter 10 years ago after teachers noticed a lot of garbage scattered on the side of roads leading to the school. It later initiated other activities.
Prot Supapong, director of the school, said: "Our environ?mental projects cover three areas - garbage, water and energy. The students have run a garbage bank for four years.
"We also have a windmill made by locals and students to generate electricity for the school's hall, plus modified bicycles to pump water from a pond to make compost and generate electricity for the garbage bank.
"We reuse treated wastewater from our wastewater ponds to wash the drains of the canteen and water plants.
"Unwanted bits of vegetable left after cooking lunch for students are changed into organic fertiliser to nurture plants." The school uses durian shells and unwanted clay collected from shrimp fields to make compost.
The garbage bank idea has been copied by four other nearby schools with Wat Nong Khan advising them on what to do. Students also play an important role to encourage locals in communities around the school to separate garbage and bring it to the garbage bank.
Wat Nong Khan school was recently selected by Honda in Thailand as a model school, together with 20 other schools around the country that have done well as part of 'School Environment Project V', which has the theme 'Follow the King's Path with Honda'.
The school invited the media to see its environmental work.
Chayanee Chotsuwan, a Matthayom 1 student (seventh grader) explained that aside from the main projects, the school also had students taking turns as deejays for the school broadcasting system. They talk about environmental issues and encourage stu?dents to eat all food on their plates, to save water and turn off unused electric equipment, and create
handicrafts out of garbage.
"The students' handicrafts made of garbage have won several awards in the province and Eastern region. They include a chandelier made of plastic bottles and rabbit stat?ues made of paper. The modified bicycles used to generate electricity and pump water not only help us reduce the power we consume, we also exercise when cycling and spend free time doing a useful activity," Chayanee said.
Project director Pongdej Sriwachirapradit and an administration manager from Asian Honda Motor said the fact that Wat Nong Khan was chosen for its activities showed it was a management centre for local communities. It had exchanged knowledge with local people, and thus deserved to be honoured.The school was earlier recog?nised for its outstanding garbage management by the Honda School Environment Project IV and received a plaque from Her Royal Highness Princess Somsavali.
This month, a primary and a secondary school will be selected from 21 on a shortlist - 13 primary and eight sec?ondary - to receive His Majesty the King's grand prizes. The King's cup and Princess' plaque will be presented to the two winning schools.