Solid Waste Management Practices of the Grade IV-VI Pupils of Pook Elementary School: Input in the Development of a Strategic Communication Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pook Elementary School being one of the progressive schools has already noted the irrepressible rates of environmental devastations brought about by the continuous use of plastics in every endeavor of the people. Responding promptly to the alarming issue, Barangay Pook, Municipality of Agoncillo, which endeavors a model barangay devised an ordinance entitled as "E-Code" in compliance to RA 9003 known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Composing of one hundred (100) Grade IV-VI pupils, aged 9-11 years old, are knowledgeable but fail to practice the non-compliance in the use of plastic, their behavior will be the one in focus in the device output, strategic communication plan. Moreover, since the descriptive research reveals that the most frequent number in the use of plastic is when the pupils buy their food (wet) in and outside the school campus, the first priority would be directly about this.

METHODS

To best acquire the vital information needed to satisfy the objectives for this research, GreEnvironment Advocates conducted a descriptive research through the use of survey questionnaires as data gathering instruments, Grade IV-VI pupils, aged 9 -11 years old, were figured out as the target audience of this strategic plan. The survey questionnaires were divided into three categories which are: 1) frequency on the use of plastic; 2) dominant reasons on using plastic; and 3) knowledge regarding the effects of plastics to environment.

RESULTS

Pook Elementary School has problems regarding the use of plastic despite the implementation of the Environmental Code and the "Plastic Free this January" Campaign. Most of the plastics found were in the form of food containers, soft drinks, junk food, and candy wrappers. The garbage is mostly found in the drainage and corners of the school campus. Despite the fact that the school is near the town proper, the implementation and monitoring of the E-Code seem to be at a low level.

DISCUSSIONS

After gathering the result of the survey, designing the strategic communication plan follows. The whole student population of Pook Elementary School as represented by the Grade IV-VIpupils were the respondents and target stakeholders of the plan. Their behavior will be the one in focus in this strategic communication plan. Devising objectives adherent to their behavior is what this strategic communication plan will seek. Project Title: Let's GO, PlastiChange! "Para Healthy ka at Environment-friendly pa, Dapat may BF (Buslong Friendly) ka!"