The Two "E"s ~ Education & Environment
Outdoor Education - Local & International Schools
We currently host a range of students from both Malaysia & Singapore that participate in outdoor education programs. These are designed to take students into the unfamiliar and present them with age-appropriate challenges which require them to assimilate and adapt. The camp counselors in Sibu prepare many fun activities such as snorkeling, shelter building, visiting the kids in kampung school and beach cleanup.
The Path to Excellence
We all need to accept that life won't be the same after COVID-19. The sooner we can adapt to this reality, the sooner we can all work together to implement the right knowledge & skills to help make the world a better place for future generations to come. Green Schools work by relying less on fossil fuels, thus releasing less greenhouse gases and pollution in the environment, and instead enjoys the environmental benefits generated from reduced energy and water usage. Additionally, a significant economic benefit of going green is that it helps lower costs and save money, so this is something we can sustain for the long-term.
The 1st Malaysian Island Green School
We have a vision. A dream. A goal that hopes to benefit all living beings whilst giving back to the world we all inhabit. The first ever Green School in Malaysia (on an island too!) will prepare and nurture students with a progressive education. What is taught will be timeless, forever connecting humans to nature whilst simultaneously giving them skills relevant for any future, in our fast-changing climate. The pandemic has taught us that Mother Nature is in charge and thus, we must remain progressive whilst working closely with her. By establishing the 1st Malaysian Island Green School, we hope to give ALL walks of life motivation, inspiration, hope, and pure joy as well as equip them with the necessary skills that they can then pass on to their future children.
Why Protecting Our Island Is Crucial
FEELING NERDY? HAVE A READ:
Sibu Island (Pulau Sibu) is an island group in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia.
Island ecosystems in Malaysia have long contributed to a significant annual income to the country through tourism activities - however, studies have shown us that signs of trouble were already evident from the 1990s, among small island ecosystems in which pristine grounds were extensively explored and exploited by developing industries!
This has resulted in biodiversity degradation which stems from unsustainable developments! Thus, scholars at the University of Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) have concluded that efforts in conserving this fragile ecosystem that supports local island livelihoods must be taken seriously.
By merging the terrestrial and marine aspects of island biodiversity studies, the Pulau Sibu Scientific Expedition 2017 was successfully co-organized by the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia (JTLM) and UMT, being a first of its kind. Several expeditions carried out by various research institutions have told us that island population growth is a concern that attributes greatly to ecosystem decline.
HOWEVER, this phenomenon does not occur on Pulau Sibu as the population density is low, and is steadily decreasing further due to the emigration of local inhabitants.
Hence, sustainability is still a possibility!!
But we must also remember that being just a small island ecosystem, threats to its socio-ecological balance must be given due attention. Delays of proper management actions can result in irreparable biodiversity, economic and cultural losses.