Over 300 primary teachers and students pledge to build water-saving culture (with photos)
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     More than 300 primary school principals, teachers and students vowed to make good use of water resources and help build a water-saving culture at the pledging ceremony of the Cherish Water Campus Integrated Education Programme today (January 23). The ceremony was organised by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) as part of the "Appreciate Hong Kong" Campaign.

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Enoch Lam, said that the WSD is committed to promoting water conservation. It has organised a series of well-received youth activities in recent years, such as roving school talks, school water audits and the Water Conservation Ambassador competition.

     The WSD has provided the latest versions of the teaching kits and activity tool sets under the Integrated Education Programme to all primary schools, and has organised teacher training workshops since last September to promote a water-saving culture. More than 160 primary schools have joined the programme so far, Mr Lam said.

     Also officiating at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung, said that the WSD has been operating the Total Water Management Strategy since 2008 to strengthen water conservation and supply management for Hong Kong's sustainable development.

     The Cherish Water Campus Integrated Education Programme was rolled out in the 2015/16 school year. It aims to enhance students' knowledge about protection of water resources and the global water situation, and encourages them to adopt water conservation practices at school and at home, as well as to spread the water-saving message to their peers, families and the community. The four-part teaching kit and the activity tool set cover 21 activities and 18 games that are suitable for Primary One to Six students. Details are available on the WSD's website (www.wsd.gov.hk/iep).

     Other guests at the ceremony included the Under Secretary for the Environment, Ms Christine Loh; the Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Catherine K K Chan; the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water Resources and Quality of Water Supplies, Dr Chan Hon-fai, and representatives from school sponsoring bodies and primary schools.

Ends/Saturday, January 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:31

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