KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 61 schools in the Samarahan district have been mobilised as agents of change in the efforts to encourage environmental sustainability through the implementation of the 2026 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Campaign at primary and secondary school levels.
The initiative by the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) serves as a strategic platform to cultivate sustainable waste management practices among students, while instilling continuous environmental awareness that extends to the community.
MPKS chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali said the campaign is not merely a competition-based programme, but an effort to shape values and awareness among students to become agents of change who will carry the message of sustainability into their respective communities.
He explained that the programme, introduced in 2021, aligns with the state’s development aspirations under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises a balance between environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and social well-being.
The campaign, which runs from April 1 to September 30, 2026, aims to increase participation by at least 50 per cent of schools, with a focus on collecting materials such as paper, plastic, aluminium, e-waste, and used cooking oil.
Meanwhile, Samarahan District Education Officer Shbini Saini said the campaign is in line with the direction of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026–2035, which emphasises value-based education and environmental sustainability.
He said that 3R practices should be made part of daily school culture so that students become more responsible towards the environment, rather than treating such efforts as seasonal activities.
Shbini added that the competition evaluation method will be made fairer through a ratio-based approach, where the total weight of recyclable materials collected is divided by the number of students, ensuring balance between large and small schools.
In addition, MPKS assured that all registered vendors will offer fair purchase prices to maintain student motivation and encourage continuous participation from schools.
The campaign also involves strategic collaboration with the State Education Department, the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
As an incentive, various rewards including cash prizes will be offered to winners at the MPKS level before advancing to the Southern Zone Sarawak competition.
