Clean Air Neighborhood for Schools: A Review of the School Program in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai District

The Clean Air Neighborhood for Schools is organized by the Clean Air Network, aimed to guide secondary school students in discussing and researching air quality issues within their local communities.

Last Event in Tuen Mun: Tuen Mun Community Exhibition Day

In July 2024, the program successfully held the final event in the Tuen Mun district: Tuen Mun Community Exhibition Day. Between 2023 and 2024, we collaborated with seven schools in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, involving a total of 136 students who investigated the air quality in their community through the program.

In September 2024, we will move the program to the Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong districts, and we look forward to the students’ discoveries about the community air quality!

Community Research: Youth Participation in Air Quality Issues

Through the program, students measured air pollution data in their community. The research results showed that from the 33 installed nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring tube locations, the NO2 levels in Tuen Mun’s Lung Mun Road were nearly four times higher than the World Health Organization’s standard! The students also went into the community to discuss air quality issues with local residents. This hands-on experience helped them recognize the critical importance of clean air for public health and the environment.

Voices of Teachers and Students: Program Highlights and Outcomes

We invited the participating teachers and students to share their program experiences. Ms. Ho, the Geography teacher from Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School said the program helped students understand local air pollution issues and learn data analysis skills.

Kwok, a Form 5 student studying Geography from the same school, was most impressed by the community exploration. She could apply geographical knowledge, like using map skills to calculate buffer zones and analyze how urban planning can reduce pollution impact on residents. The class also discussed industrial environmental protection examples from different regions, enhancing their understanding of policy and cultural differences.

School Participation (Listed in alphabetical order) (as on 9.2023 to 5.2024)

CCC Kei Yuen College
CCC Tam Lee Lai Fun Memorial Secondary School
Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
The Yuen Yuen Institute MFBM Nei Ming Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial College
TWGHs Yau Tze Tin Memorial College
Yan Oi Tong Chan Wong Suk Fong Memorial Secondary School
Yuen Long Public Secondary School