KOTA SAMARAHAN: A Sensory and Herb Garden has been set up at Mutiara Preschool here.
The initiative by the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Teacher Education Campus (IPGKTAR) aims to enhance environmental sustainability education through experiential learning.
The Sensory and Herb Garden will serve as a Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) space for Mutiara Preschool pupils, providing opportunities for children to explore nature through observation, sensory activities, experimentation and discovery.
The initiative was carried out on July 24 in conjunction with the Sarawak-level World Environment Day 2026 celebration, involving 120 participants comprising preschool pupils, trainee teachers, lecturers, Sarawak Department of Environment (DOE) officers, and members of the local community.
IPGKTAR’s Director, Dr Noraini Omar, said environmental awareness should be nurtured from an early age to develop a generation that understands the importance of protecting nature.
“Awareness of caring for the environment needs to be cultivated from childhood.
“Through direct involvement in activities such as gotong-royong and tree planting, children not only gain knowledge but also develop an appreciation for nature and understand that sustainability is a shared responsibility,” she said.
She said educational institutions played an important role in producing future educators who were not only competent in teaching but also capable of becoming agents of change in promoting sustainability education and sustainable development practices.
The programme also featured a tree-planting activity aimed at helping participants understand the importance of plants in improving air quality, reducing surrounding temperatures, conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem balance.
The collaboration between IPGKTAR and the Sarawak DOE reflects both organisations’ commitment to strengthening sustainability education through partnerships involving educational institutions, government agencies and the community.
The initiative also supports sustainable development goals (SDG), particularly in promoting quality education and climate action, while encouraging wider adoption of green practices among future educators and the public.
