Straits Times Forum 28 Feb 08;
WE REFER to the letter, 'Singapore sadly lax over cleanliness now' (Feb 19). Over the years, educational efforts have been taken to make environmentally friendly practices, such as not littering, a part of our lives.
Indeed, the National Environment Agency's (NEA) surveys have shown that most people dispose of their litter in refuse bins. Sadly, the results also showed that a minority think that littering is acceptable. Singaporeans, therefore, need to have a greater sense of environmental ownership.
The NEA has been working with various partners to strengthen this sense of environmental ownership among Singaporeans. Working with kindergartens and childcare centres, it has developed creative teaching aids to help children learn about good personal habits, such as keeping the environment litter-free.
The NEA also works with the Ministry of Education to integrate environmental issues into the school curriculum. In addition, it has introduced Environment Champions and Litter-Free Ambassadors programmes to train students to promote the green message among their peers.
The NEA works with grassroots organisations, non-governmental organisations and youth groups to reinforce the anti-littering message. For example, it is working closely with the Environment Challenge Organisation (ECO) to urge participants of public events to keep public areas clean.
We will also act against the minority who litter.
The letter writer, Ms Maria Kleyman of the United States, lamented that cleanliness in the streets of Ang Mo Kio has declined since her last visit in 1988. Within the Ang Mo Kio estate, the Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang Town Council has been actively stepping up conservancy efforts.
The town council will continue to step up cleaning and constantly monitor and review the performance of its conservancy and cleaning contractors.
It will continue to promote environmental ownership and combat littering through advisories, posters and educational articles in our newsletters.
Ultimately, no one should take the present clean and green environment for granted, and everyone should be committed to adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
S. Satish Appoo
Director, Environmental Health Department
National Environment Agency
Wan Chong Hock
Chief Executive Officer
Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang Town Council
