(From left) Star Media Group Berhad senior general manager Elicia Wee, SMK Pandamaran Jaya principal Aidah Abdullah, TNB retail division chief customer officer Abdul Rahim Abd Jamil, SMK Pandamaran Jaya senior assistant of student affairs Lim Chui Lay and TNB customer communication and stakeholder liaison head Lee Lim Bee Yoke at the Powering The Future school engagement series held at SMK Pandamaran Jaya in Klang. — Photos by KK SHAM/The Star
ELECTRICITY – the very cornerstone of modern civilisation, powering our homes, schools, businesses and the devices we rely on daily.
Yet, as the demand for energy continues to rise, so too does its impact on the environment.
Since fossil fuels have been used for energy production, the global temperature has increased by 1°C.
According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, it was confirmed that the 1.5°C threshold of global warming was breached for a full 12 months for the first time. If a change is not made imminently, the temperature can potentially rise by 3°C.
Students from SMK Pandamaran Jaya engaged in interactive activities during the Powering The Future school engagement series.
In a bold step towards fostering a more sustainable future, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in collaboration with Star Media Group Berhad, reached out to local schools in Selangor to educate students and youth on energy-efficient habits, aiming to cultivate energy leaders of the future.
Recognising the pivotal role the younger generation plays in shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape, the national utility company is bringing back the “Powering The Future” school engagement series, aimed at raising awareness about energy consumption, promoting sustainable energy practices and emphasising the importance of energy safety.
Conducted in 10 primary and secondary schools across Selangor, the series is part of the National Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme (MELP) launched in 2023.
It provides youths with an in-depth understanding of the energy sector, the current methods of energy production, and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources.
It seeks to empower the next generation with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about energy use through engaging educational programmes, interactive workshops and dynamic outreach activities.
Among the participating schools included Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman SEA, Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Klang Jaya, Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Klang Utama, Sekolah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya (2), Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama Damansara (4), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Klang Utama, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pandamaran Jaya, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Raja Mahadi, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Ehsan and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (P) Sri Aman.
Pure excitement: Students from SK Bandar Utama Damansara (4) eager to share their answers during one of the educational activities.
Charging up the future
Being a founding member of MELP, TNB believes that raising awareness and nurturing good behaviour towards energy efficiency should begin at a young age.
By instilling these values early, the national utility company hopes to cultivate a culture of sustainability and safety that will benefit communities and the environment for years to come.
As part of the Powering The Future school engagement series, facilitators from youth development and leadership expert #MakeADifference (MAD) Movement conduct workshops and educational sessions with students, centred around the main principles of Awareness, Application, Advocate and Adapt.
During the school engagement series, the programme begins with interactive games and activities tailored to suit the students’ grade level of understanding.
For instance, Show and Tell elements are used in primary schools, whereas secondary school students are challenged to establish an energy-saving household through five-star electrical appliances and energy efficiency tips.
MAD Movement facilitators working together with students from SK Taman Klang Jaya during the Powering The Future series in Selangor.
Encouraging sustainability
These activities will empower the students to optimise energy usage and promote sustainability in their homes and communities.
“We thank the participating schools and Selangor State Education Department for allowing us to host this series to engage Malaysian youth,” said TNB in a press statement.
“Previously, talks focused on saving electricity, but now there has been a shift to ‘energy efficiency’ as Malaysia moves from fossil fuels to solar energy and hydrogen for energy production.
“We want to ensure a future, not for us, but for our children and their descendants, leaving behind a good legacy for them to follow.
“Children are the best advocates and by exposing them from a young age, we hope they can retain these values as they grow older and that these sessions become common practice at home.
“We believe the youth are the future decision-makers in ensuring Malaysia’s energy efficiency and smart lifestyle transition.”
TNB emphasises that organising programmes like this is crucial in educating the future generation about the energy sector.
Through these sessions, which are designed with a more relaxed and interesting learning approach, students are able to have fun while gaining a better understanding of their role in maintaining and protecting the environment for a more sustainable future.
By broadening the student’s knowledge of optimum energy consumption practices, they can understand the need to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
This is done to inspire the younger generation to strive for a more sustainable future, fostering a deeper appreciation to adopt a more energy-efficient lifestyle.
The MELP, of which TNB’s Powering The Future is part of, aims to enhance public understanding of the energy sector, the importance of energy transition into renewable energy sources, and the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in the energy industry, as part of achieving global sustainability.
