Sustainability of Marine Conservation Curriculum in 15 Alor Island Elementary Schools

Thresher Shark Indonesia (TSI) has resumed its marine conservation curriculum program in several elementary schools in Alor Regency. The program, which was first implemented in late 2022, continues to involve ten elementary schools and will expand to include five additional schools for the 2024 academic year.

The continuation of the marine conservation curriculum was formalized through the signing of an agreement between Thresher Shark Indonesia’s Operational Manager, Yodhikson Marvelous Bang, and the Head of the Alor Regency Education Department, Ferdi Lahal, at the Citra Hidup Tribuana Credit Cooperative Building on Tuesday, September 10th. Ferdi expressed his hope that the continuation of this program would lead to more students understanding the importance of environmental conservation, fostering a generation that actively preserves nature, particularly in Alor.

Additionally, during the event, TSI presented the average final exam scores of the conservation curriculum to ten school headmasters and teachers. TSI’s Communication and Education Manager, Vivekananda Gitandjali, explained that the pass rate of students in the second semester increased to 66.70% from 60% in the previous semester. This pass rate was determined by the students’ performance in midterm and final exams, with a minimum passing score criterion of 70.

Following the presentation of the pass rates, TSI conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the ten school headmasters. During the FGD, several schools highlighted areas of concern within the program, including the need for improved communication from TSI’s mentoring teachers and the implementation of outdoor learning sessions.

In response to these concerns, Vivekananda announced that the next academic year would include a field trip to help students directly observe the ecosystems they have studied in class.

“By directly observing the ecosystems they’ve learned about, it is hoped that students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting marine ecosystems,” said Vivekananda.

The event concluded with the signing of a commitment by the school headmaster and teaching staff, witnessed by the Alor Regency School Supervisors, Nurjannah Sang, and Petrus Berepalay.

Expansion to Five New Schools

On the following day, TSI invited teachers and headmaster from five new schools to the Alor Regency Education Department Office on Friday, September 13th. This meeting aimed to outline the program plan, agree on the curriculum collaboration, and explain the rights and responsibilities of the schools in implementing the program. The selection of schools was based on data collected previously and discussions with the Alor Regency Education Department and School Supervisors.

The learning materials will be based on the marine conservation book published by Thresher Shark Indonesia in 2022. Furthermore, Thresher Shark Indonesia will involve the Regional Education Department in evaluating the teaching and assessment of children regarding the marine conservation curriculum.

One of the teachers was reading the marine conservation curriculum book published by Thresher Shark Indonesia.  Kalabahi, Alor Regency, Friday, September 13, 2024.

Vivekananda explained that each teacher implementing the marine conservation curriculum is required to teach twice a week according to the schedule set by the school. Following the presentation, each school agreed to participate in the marine conservation curriculum, with this commitment formalized through a signed agreement.

The marine conservation curriculum program, supported by the McPZ Foundation, aims to increase environmental awareness among elementary school children. Since 2023, ten schools have implemented the marine conservation curriculum, including Latang Elementary School, GMIT Limarahing Elementary School, Inpres Dabari Elementary School, Bira 1 Elementary School, Bira 2 Inpres Elementary School, Retta 2 Inpres Elementary School, GMIT Retta Elementary School, GMIT Kokar Elementary School, Alor Besar Inpres Elementary School, and Sebanjar Elementary School. 

The five new schools that have committed to implementing the curriculum are Limarahing 2 Elementary School, Inpres Pura Elementary School, GMIT 15 Aimoli Elementary School, Alor Kecil 1 Elementary School, and Dulolong Barat Elementary School.

Author: Maria Bernadeth Tukan/Umar Tusin/Vivekananda Gitandjali