This is a comment on an article titled "Environment for inclusion in schools' curriculum", (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 2).
Designing a new school subject called "environment" or perhaps better called "environmental awareness building" to be integrated into the curriculum is not that difficult if it is done by an "educational environmentalist". But it may be more difficult to implement because we need capable and trained teachers.
For decades, we have known that the earth is deteriorating; the signs were become increasingly clear. Nothing, or at least very little, has been done worldwide. Indeed, much talk, little action. If there is an "environment" subject taught at primary through secondary education levels, it should be linked to a community-based environmental welfare program that is extracurricular but obligatory for students, and that practices in real life what is taught in schools.
Billions of rupiah have been spent on foreign-donor-funded environmental programs (including programs for waste management, a clean water supply, etc., and all included "environmental protection procedures"), almost without tangible results mainly because the mindset at all levels has not really changed in line with the objectives of the programs. I remember a statement by former vice president Jusuf Kalla a couple of years ago: "next year there will be no more flooding in Jakarta".
Well, it was definitely a premature remark since the floods are still uncontrollable, and they become more unpredictable as global warming has caused the seasons to change. It would indeed be useful if there were to be an environmental school program in the curriculum that is "put to work" at home and in the community.
An example is grassroots waste management: Let the students teach the local population to stop throwing trash in places where it doesn't belong, such as in rivers; have community leaders participate; involve the private sector where local funding is needed. That would at least support better flood control. Start at school at an early age and do it bottom up!
Danker Schaareman
Jakarta
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