Lungtenphu Lower Secondary School

Lungtenphu

Thimphu

hough the concept of Design for change was not new to the teachers and students of the school, I as the DFC coordinator held a reminding session on 11 th May, 2013. The teachers were briefed and familiarized on the processes of DFC and their role in guiding

the children through each stage of the DFC process. We scrutinized each slide of the presentation to ensure that the whole process and story comes out well.

TOn 13th May, 2013, the class teacher sacrificed their precious teaching time and took their respective class through the FEEL, IMAGINE and DO stage. They took note of the changes the children wanted to bring in the society and what measures they could take in order to combat the situation.

Each class teacher handed over their children’s ideas to the DFC coordinator. The list was endless. Their FEEL stage brought varying ideas ranging from diminutive issues like need for combating water borne diseases to great ideas like preserving our national language. However, after going through the democratic process of voting, the majority of them unanimously decided to combat plastic and plastic products.

In order to combat the environmental threat posed by plastic and plastic products, we then needed to identify the means and measure that we could employ to bring the desired change. Following were the means and strategies they identified.

1. Students and teachers are not allowed to eat junk food in the school premise, or any food items that come in plastic wrappers.

2. Students and the teachers will use proper water bottles instead of PET and mineral water bottles.

DESIGN FOR CHANGE‘Adieu Plastics and thy Products…Sayonara!’

3. The DFC committee will ensure that the students do not use plastic bags to carry necessary things.

4. Teachers and all students are also not allowed to use plastic related products in the school campus during the academic time.

5. The Ball point pen free policy will be reintroduced as a part of the Zero Plastic Policy.6. In case a student is found possessing the prohibited items, the item will be seized and the

perpetrator will be fined a sum of nu. 5/- (First instance), nu. 20/- (Second instance) and nu 50/- (Third instance) and the child will be held in disciplinary ground.

7. The Collection of the amount will be done by the Class teachers and handed over, later, to the DFC coordinator, who in turn will keep a record as DFC fund for the year. The DFC coordinator will issue money receipts to the class teachers upon the receipt of the fine money.

8. The plastic wastes found in the school premise will be collected and handed over to the nature club and Arts club for turning them into art pieces.

9. The sale of any items that come in plastic wrappers is strictly prohibited.10. Distribution of sweets will not be allowed during birthday celebrations in order to reduce

the use of plastic. Students will preferably light butter lamp or contribute a flower pot to their class.

11. The school will provide squash (orange juice) to students during different celebrations. Gifts to be wrapped in paper.

12. The DFC core members will conduct surprise checking during the school hour to ensure that the aforementioned pledges are respected at all times.

The previous year’s policy of Ballpoint Free School was reinstated. Ball point pens too are plastic products. The bodies of the pen, its cap, refill, part of the tip, push button, etc are made of plastic, not to mention the plastic wrapper it comes in. Hence, the children stated that the revival of this Ballpoint Free policy must be revived. We were only too glad to consent to it.

The school has also filed a petition to the Thromdey Education Officer, Thimphu City Corporation seeking approval to make presentations to the other Thromdey Schools on the Ballpoint Pen Free School as a part of the sharing process. As of now, we are waiting for a response from the Thromdey Education Office.

Thanking you,

(Rinchen Phuntsho)