Schools told to shun thermocol

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 22

Even though schools organise lectures and create awareness on saving the environment, the use of thermocol in schools has been overlooked. The material being non-biodegradable is an environmental hazard. Schoolchildren continue to  use it for making models at exhibitions because of the lack of awareness about its harmful effects.

Taking notice of the rampant use of thermocol by students in schools and colleges, particularly for making projects and models for science exhibitions, the DGSE office has issued instructions to schools to avoid use of thermocol for making models.

It was found that the students exhibiting models during the “Inspire” events and science exhibitions have been using thermocol for making models. But thermocol is a non-biodegradable material, which causes environmental pollution. Students should desist from using this material. Consumption of thermocol by birds leads to their death. 

“Models made of thermocol are being exhibited at science fairs and the Inspire Award events as well while those made from plyboard, iron sheets or cardboard are being ignored, which is not right,” according to the circular sent to the district education officers and district science supervisors. The material has also been banned by the Envronment Ministry, the circular states.

The District Science Supervisor, Varinder Kaur, said: “In fact, science models made from thermocol will not be considered for competitions. Other materials such as paper and plywood should rather be used for making models, which serve the purpose equally well,” she said. Thermocol is a major source of pollution and its use should be avoided by schools, she said.

“Ironically, even models on conservation of environment and eco-friendly themes are made from thermocol as there is a lack of awareness about the material being an environmental hazard,” said the teacher of a government school. It is good that these instructions have been sent to schools. Most students use thermocol for the preparation of models in all schools, which is causing a lot of pollution, he said.