THE ‘GREEN’ FUTURE OF PBHS

By Dominga P. Cabadin

Schools across the country are already experiencing climate impacts, which will only continue to increase in the future. For instance, in May this year, reports from the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed seven students from San Jose National High School in Occidental Mindoro had trouble breathing, which resulted in fainting. Ten of them complained of headaches, and two were sent to the hospital.

Consequently, climate change is a fact that we must all deal with. The report from Inquirer.Net read: “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his speech at Villamor Airbase in Manila on December 15, 2022, said he would call on various government institutions to implement a “climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines.”

How can we accomplish such a significant task? How can we make a greener and more sustainable school that can improve the learning experience of our learners? What shall we begin doing today?

Pledge

Encourage our learners to make a pledge or commitment to recycling, minimizing trash, and conserving energy. Learners are more likely to remember to take it seriously when it is in writing and displayed in a prominent location at school.

Build a green community

To develop a common vision for the green future of our school, the whole involvement of the PBHS community is what we need right now.

Hold a green club

Identify learners who are motivated to make our school more environmentally friendly. As soon as they have established small steps, assist them in thinking more about “green goals.” Furthermore, help our learners become “green champions” by allowing them to create presentations on the most important lessons learned and achievements at school. The entire community benefits from spreading sustainability.

Schedule a zero-waste day

Make it daily, weekly, or monthly. Make it a fun challenge with a little reward, so our learners will be enthusiastic and completely on board.

The contributor to this article is Dominga P. Cabadin, the 24th and current school principal of Ponciano Bernardo High School. One of the key initiatives for her administration is Project BEST (Beautification and Enhancement of the School Totality).