KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) is aiming to establish environmental clubs in all 1,460 schools across Sarawak by 2027 to strengthen environmental literacy among students.
Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak, Datuk Jack Liam, said the Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS) programme has continued to expand, with 765 schools currently participating statewide.
“Environmental education remains a key priority. The Kelab Pencinta Alam Sekitar (PALS) programme has expanded to 765 schools and supports NREB’s target of establishing PALS clubs in all 1,460 schools in Sarawak by 2027,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the NREB Excellence and Service Awards Ceremony here on Friday night (June 19).
He added that the programme is now supported by the newly developed e-PALS system, which facilitates club registration and grant tracking.
“The initiative is part of NREB’s broader efforts to cultivate environmental awareness and stewardship among younger generations,” he said.
To further strengthen environmental education, Jack announced that NREB will host the inaugural Environmental Education Conference 2026 in collaboration with UNICEF.
Scheduled for October 27-28, the conference will be held under the theme ‘Empowering Future Generations Through Environmental Literacy’.
“NREB will host the inaugural Environmental Education Conference together with UNICEF and we expect around 300 practitioners from across the globe to participate,” he said.
The conference will provide a platform for educators, researchers, policymakers and environmental practitioners to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration in environmental education.
Apart from educational initiatives, NREB has also expanded strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions and industry players.
Among the collaborations established between 2025 and 2026 are agreements with Curtin University Malaysia on river ecosystem conservation studies, DNS Waste Management Sdn Bhd on sustainable waste management initiatives, and the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) on environmental health and scientific research.
