Enhancing Environmental Awareness through Project I-MEL (I Manage Every Littered Paper in School)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The school's stakeholders play important roles in proper solid waste management in compliance to the Ecological Solid Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 90003). This action research was funded by the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF). The research seeks to investigate the following: (1) the effectiveness Project I-MEL for S.Y. 2017-2018 in reducing solid waste in TNCES as perceived by the teachers, pupils, and parents; and (2) the level of effectiveness of Project I-MEL as perceived by the groups of respondents in reducing solid waste in TNCES.

METHODS

This study employed the Descriptive Method of research. The respondents of this study were the 37 teachers, 307 both pupils, and parents of TNCES. The weighted mean from the conducted survey was computed. To determine the effectiveness of Project I-MEL in reducing solid waste in school, a 5-point Likert scale was used with corresponding range and adjective description.

RESULTS

Results show that the computed average weighted mean from the teachers' group was 4.41 with “Very Effective” adjective description, 3.79 from the students' group with “Very Effective” adjective description, and 3.56 from the parents' group with “Very Effective” adjective description with an overall weighted mean of 3.92. Findings imply that Project I-MEL in school was “Very Effective.” It was also proven that there is no significant difference on the level of effectiveness of the implemented project as perceived by the three groups of respondents.

DISCUSSIONS

Project I-MEL was successful because the systematic execution of the project was given importance by the personnel, pupils, and parents of Tabaco North Central Elementary School. According to Busalla (2010), participation is key when students are involved in the waste management program of the school. An effective and sustainable implementation of the waste management practices is achieved. The support of the school's administration to waste management is also critical through the creation of a committee involved in the implementation and supervision of the project and thus commitment to the project and its sustainability needs to be considered. In relation to the cited importance of Project I-MEL in TNCES, it is therefore highly recommended that other schools and agencies adopt the said innovation to address the environmental issue concerning proper waste disposal in their respective stations.