In a significant stride towards environmental education, four schools in Bali have integrated environmental awareness into their student orientation programmes.
This pilot initiative, led by the Indonesian NGO Mudfish No Plastic, was conducted during the Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah (MPLS) – the English School Environment Introduction Period.
In July 2024, Mudfish No Plastic presented four seminars aimed at educating students about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on the environment and their health. Mora Prima Siregar, the Executive Director of Mudfish No Plastic, led these seminars, which featured engaging activities including singing, dancing, quizzes, and interactive learning games. The primary objective was to motivate students to adopt sustainable habits, such as bringing reusable bottles and personal food containers to school, thereby reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
The programme was implemented in three middle schools: SMP Negeri 2 Blahbatuh Gianyar, SMP Negeri 3 Bangli, and SMP Negeri 3 Ubud, as well as State Senior High School 1 Ubud. The seminars saw participation from a total of 1003 students and 14 teachers, marking significant engagement in this environmental initiative.
This effort highlights a growing recognition of the importance of environmental education in Indonesia. By embedding these values early on in the educational journey, schools aim to foster a generation that is more conscious of their environmental footprint and proactive in their efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.
The success of this pilot programme could pave the way for similar initiatives across other regions in Indonesia, further promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility among young students.