Educating young people about the environment
Throughout the year, the PSE environment department is committed to raising awareness and educating students and staff about the importance of protecting our planet. This commitment is backed up by daily actions such as composting, recycling and the introduction of a plastic-free campus, as well as weekly lessons on the environment. This year, the students also took part in a study trip designed around environmental issues and their field of study.
Courses included in the PSE syllabus
Pupils at the PSE remedial school benefit from 10 hours of awareness-raising sessions on environmental protection during the school year. The sessions cover: compost production, gardening, energy efficiency, vegetarian meals and waste management.
Kimly, aged 14, is taking the course for the first time and is particularly enjoying it. ‘I'd never learnt how to look after the environment or understand the benefits of a green and healthy environment,’ she explains. The young girl grew up in a difficult environment: after her father died when she was just a baby, her mother decided to move to Phnom Penh with her children, and when she remarried, Kimly and her sisters had to fend for themselves. With the help of PSE, Kimly is now catching up on her schooling and dreams of becoming a Khmer teacher.
‘We had a few practical lessons to help us understand what the environment is and why we need to preserve it, but it was the practical lessons that I liked best,’ she continues. ‘We learned how to look after the soil and plant flowers. First I had to look after my plant in its pot and this month I planted it in front of my class with my friends.
Students at the vocational training institute also benefit from courses on the environment, and everyone can take part in the eco-club.
Environmental study trips
Every year, the environment team organises study trips for each of the five PSE vocational training schools, as well as for students in the bridging classes. The aim of these trips is to link environmental issues to the students' specific areas of study.
‘These trips play a crucial role in students' development. By immersing themselves in these real-life experiences, students discover the impact of their actions on the environment and gain a deeper understanding of what they are learning,’ explains Socheat Moeung, Environmental Project Manager. ‘They learn about sustainable practices and the importance of environmental management. Finally, it's an opportunity for students to make concrete links between their academic knowledge and its application in the real world. These experiences encourage them to integrate environmental considerations into their daily lives and future careers.’
Students from the Business School visited Amarak Farm, a farm that is also an eco-resort. The students were able to expand their knowledge of ecotourism and environmental management, while learning about sustainable business practices. ‘As soon as we arrived, I was so excited to explore. Discovering the greenhouses and seeing the different animals was incredible. It was an unforgettable experience,’ says a student from the Business School. ‘It's so nice to be able to do this kind of outing thanks to PSE. Today, I was able to discover a new facet of environmental action, but being able to go to the pagoda was an incredible experience’ added another.
The students from the Construction School were divided into two groups, one visiting a water treatment plant and the other a recycling centre. ‘This visit opened my eyes to the importance of recycling. Seeing with my own eyes how waste can be transformed into useful objects was truly inspiring,’ said one student. ‘I loved being able to ask questions and touch the materials. The guides were very accessible and made the subject exciting. I'm coming away with lots of ideas for my future project,’ concludes another.
