Developing a Sustainable Green School Model: Case Study of Three Junior High Schools in Bandung Participating in the Adiwiyata Program

• Main Author: Adnan, Saepul
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/34966
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Environmental degradation and the overexploitation of natural resources are critical issues to be addressed. Realization of the seriousness of environmental problems has brought about environmentally conscious movements in various aspects of life, and has introduced such concepts as green home, green office, green building and green school. The Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Environment has since 2006 initiated the Adiwiyata program for elementary and middle level schools to achieve environmentally sound schools. The President annually awards recognition to schools that have committed to implement green school principles through the Adiwiyata program. It is hoped that successful implementation of the Adiwiyata program will be reflected in increased awareness and positive attitude towards the environment. However, the effectiveness of this program has not been evaluated; meanwhile, there is indication that environmental conditions have not improved and that public awareness and attitude towards the environment are generally still low. This study was conducted to evaluate implementation of the green school concept in three junior high schools in Bandung adopting the Adiwiyata program (SMPN 7, SMPN 2 Dayeuh Kolot and SMPN 36) and identify the constraints to be considered in the development of a sustainable green school model. The study was conducted in three stages, i.e.: (1) a preliminary study to conduct literature survey and develop a set of green school criteria and indicators; (2) Evaluation of green school implementation based on indicator assessment and measurement of environmental awareness and positive behavior; and (3) formulation of a model green school. Research methodology and instruments included observation, interviews and questionnaire. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive approach, one-way ANOVA, and Kendall's tau-b correlation using SPSS version 17. Based on the indicators developed in this study, it was found that SMPN 7 fulfilled 19 indicators, SMPN 2 Dayeuh Kolot fulfilled 20 indicators, and SMPN 36 fulfilled 19 indicators from a total of 33 indicators. Results of the study showed that awareness and environmentally conscious behavior was not reflected in general school living. This was affected by several factors, among others: implementation of environmental education curriculum that has not been fully integrated into intra/extracurricular activities; management and utilization of school environment that are still at the level of concepts and theories; and weak institutional vi coordination, participation and cooperation, both internally and externally. Therefore, the development of an improved green school model must include an integrated environmental education curriculum, facilities and infrastructure as media for learning and habituation of environmental consciousness, and institutional development in terms of school policy, participation and cooperation with relevant institutions.