Malaysia is at the forefront of supporting the United Nations Greening Education Partnership 2030 by setting the global standard for holistic, integrated, and localised national GEP Roadmap.
TEMERLOH, 6 NOVEMBER 2023— His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah graced the launching ceremony of Eco-Schools Malaysia & GEP Roadmap 2030 at Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi (SBPI) Temerloh, earlier today.
GEP is a United Nations initiative that provides comprehensive and resolute actions to empower every student with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to address climate change and promote sustainable development. Based on the holistic approach of ESD, the GEP has been designed to inspire countries to empower students with the necessary skills for climate action and inclusive and sustainable economic development to transition to a digital and green economy.
His Majesty the King arrived around 11:00 am and was greeted by Pahang Chief Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Wan Rosdy bin Wan Ismail; Deputy Minister of Education, YB Puan Lim Hui Ying; President of the Foundation for Environmental Education, Lesley Jones, and Executive Director of the Green Growth Asia Foundation, Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Mahadi Mohamad. The procession was led to the specially curated Eco-Schools-themed exhibition before proceeding to the event square.
His Royal Highness, in his officiating address, expressed his grave concern about the climate mitigation and adaptation challenges looming over Malaysia and the world, especially on the wellbeing of future generations. He said that “…the Eco-Schools Programme is a commendable initiative that helps to shape a sustainable future, opens up explorative avenues for future-ready green careers, backed by data-driven methodology, and mental re-engineering, prompting positive behavioural changes.“.
His Royal Highness also urged relevant stakeholders to provide youth with the opportunity and space to grow and furnish themselves adequately in addressing future climate and education scenarios. “It is crucial for us (enablers) to develop a supportive ecosystem that cherishes differing ideas and perspectives to nurture exemplary youth leaders who are unique, innovative and competent in realising our national aspirations.”
As the officiating address concluded, His Royal Highness wished for “every goal and objective listed in the UN GEP2030 Malaysia Roadmap to be achieved by 2030.”, “I am confident that Malaysia will continue to spearhead and amplify the operationalisation of the sustainable development goals.”
It is highly notable to mention that Pahang is the first state in the world to formulate a Greening Education roadmap. In his address, the Regent of Pahang emphasised the need for initiatives that empower the youth, especially in Pahang, to lead the green transition among the communities in the state.
The Malaysia Greening Education Partnership Roadmap 2030 (MYGEP2030) aims to strengthen the role of education in achieving sustainable development goals and integrating the climate agenda into the education system in Malaysia through the following pillars.
Greening Schools
Malaysia will have adopted a green school accreditation scheme with at least 50% schools, colleges, and universities with green accreditation and operating sustainably.
Greening Curriculum
All schools under Eco-Schools Malaysia will integrate and enhance climate change education modules in the national curriculum with elements of environmental studies by adopting inquiry-based and project-based learning pedagogies.
Greening Teacher Training and Education Systems’ Capacities
100% of all Malaysian schools have master trainers able to train teachers.
Greening Communities
100% of communities (selected by state governments or FELDA) will be able to utilise the (1) Eco-Schools, (2) EcoCampus and (3) Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programs to offer learning opportunities for adults outside the formal education system to develop the skills, attitudes, and actions that will foster community resilience to tackle climate change.
In the same event, His Royal Highness was pleased to bestow the Eco-Schools Programme’s letter of appointment to State Education Directors and Directors of Institute of Teacher Education were received by YBHg. Dato’ Indera Nik Nasarudin bin Mohd Zawawi, Secretary-General of the Education Ministry. This honour symbolises the strengthening and acknowledgment of education’s transformative roles in affecting global paradigm change in mitigating and adapting present-day education and climate challenges, in addition to the burgeoning collective social responsibility by formal learning institutions to mobilise it.
Earlier in the event, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Education, in her Welcoming Remarks, recognised the student-centric Eco-Schools programme as a long-term solution to bridging the contemporary gaps of the national education system, including Equality of Educational Opportunity, Teachers’ Welfare, Teaching, and Learning, and Special Needs Students via a holistic and inclusive approach that aligns with the principles of national education philosophy “…ensuring the steady stream of capable and resilient nation builders (progeniture)”.
Furthermore, the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are also highlighted in her speech, especially in “moulding future dynamic and highly skilled green workforce in the country”; therefore, “the corporate sector is afforded the opportunity to play an active role in nation-building by funding the Eco-Schools Malaysia programme”. Expanding on her speech, she pledged the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s complete support in facilitating the implementation of the Eco-Schools Programme in parallel with the goals of the United Nations Greening Education Partnership Roadmap 2030 (UN GEP2030).
This momentous event also featured an exceptional Eco-Choral Speaking performance by students of SK Desa Bakti, Mentakab, personally selected by His Royal Highness The Regent of Pahang Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Royal Patron of Eco-Schools Malaysia.
Also present was H.E. Yeo Seung-Bae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia; Speaker of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin; Chief Executive Officer of the Green Growth Asia Foundation, Dr. Balamurugan Ratha Krishnan; Ministry of Education Malaysia senior leadership team; State Education Directors; Directors of Teacher Training Colleges and synergy partners of Eco-Schools Malaysia.
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