Education goes green in West Kalimantan elementary school

WEST KALIMANTAN, May 7, 2014: In SDN 7, a public elementary school in the village of Sasak in the Sambas district, 163 students stand in line ready to start a new day.

The school, approximately eight hours away by car from Pontianak — the capital of West Kalimantan — is unique. Beside being the only elementary school in the village, with the help of World Vision, a humanitarian organization for the wellbeing of children and families, it is mainly known as one of three Sekolah Hijau (Green Schools) in Sambas since 2012.

SDN 7 Sasak is proud of its wide range of activities that are closely connected to a green sustainable living.

“We aim to develop a system of education that still follows the national curriculum,” said Shintya Kurniawan, media relations officer for World Vision Indonesia, “but that at the same time can accommodate the needs of local people in the different areas where World Vision operates. For example, in the operational area of Nias, programs are more related to disaster management, whereas in Poso we focus on building harmony between Muslim and Christian children in post-conflict trauma.”

In the case of the children in Sambas, Shintya emphasized the importance of nurturing a love and respect for their environment.

“Unfortunately, the threat of deforestation is more than worrying in Kalimantan,” Shintya said. “Beside the illegal logging, a growing palm oil industry is invading the area. Children must learn to defend nature.”

The contextual education of Sambas’s Green School won the 2013 Millennium Development Goals Award in the category of community organization.

Simon Sinambela, education coordinator of World Vision in Sambas, said that almost 50 percent of the region has been lost to palm oil plantations.

“Out of 600 hectares of forests in Sambas, 250 hectares has now been replaced by palm oil,” he said.

Simon added that beside the environmental reasons, the program also aims to keep children excited about school.

“Sambas is an area where a high number of children drop out of elementary school each year. The Green School in Sasak for example, is an effort to train teachers to come up with creative, green activities that can actively engage children in the learning process.”

Philip Siahaan, program development manager for World Vision in Sambas, added that the district’s close proximity to Malaysia presents an additional range of problems that require attention.

“Sambas is a transit for illegal workers and child traffickers to Malaysia,” Philip said. “Children must have access to education and understand their identity to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Their environment is part of their identity. If it’s not preserved, than in 10 years from now, what will remain of it?”

The Green School operates under the joint effort between World Vision and the Sambas Education Office, whose head, Jusmadi, explained that many of the district’s children have parents that are domestic workers in Malaysia.

“Many domestic workers go to Malaysia illegally,” Jusmadi said. “Unfortunately when they go back to their villages with money and new items, they often unwillingly influence children to drop out from school and work instead. That’s why we need initiatives like the Green School, so that children stay enthusiastic about education.”

Sekolah Hijau often conducts classes outdoors and encourages its students to create artwork from used items. The initiative also teaches children to grow and take care of a variety of plants in the school’s garden.

Angel Christy Supit, the program’s campaign officer, said gardening was now one of the children’s favorite activities.

“We hope that if they like to garden at school, they will care more about the trees and plants around their homes,” Angel said.

Meanwhile, the school nurtures a relationship between student and teachers based on mutual care and respect, instead of the traditional, hierarchical structure.

In two years, the Green School has already managed to give amazing results. Ivus, the principal of SDN 7, proudly spoke of his students’ accomplishments.

“In the 2013 final exams, SDN7 Sasak was ranked forth in the whole district of Sambas,” he said. “We even have a student who got a 10 in Math.”

The green education program also encourages parents to become involved in their activities. Jailani S, father of a second-grade student, actively contributes to the school during special occasions.

“I come whenever the school needs me,” he said. “I’m also excited that my son now seems enthusiastic about doing his homework because of the Green School. He had to repeat the first grade last year. But this year, he ranked eight in his class.”

Thirteen-year-old Oktavia Sari Yeyen, a fifth grader, said she was much more motivated to study because of the program’s engaging methods.

“I like my classroom; it’s so colorful now,” she said. “We can express ourselves with creativity. I want to keep studying and become a flight attendant because I want to travel.”

Oktavia’s teacher, also named Jailani, echoed her sentiments.

“Students care so much about coming to school now,” he said. “Before, they would skip school and go to the market once a week with their parents. Now, I teach them with more creative ways on how to be responsible in life.”

 

 

source: The Jakarta Globe