S

tate junior high school SMPN 2 in Timika would be the first environment-focused school in Mimika regency, Papua, says a regency spokesman.

Mimika regency administration assistant Alfred Douw said the green school pilot project was part of the regency’s move to improve education and preserve the environment, following a central government program launched five years ago.

“This is a new program for Mimika that should be followed by the other 32 junior high schools in the regency,” Alfred said.

As part of the program, SMPN 2 Timika is expected to teach students about environmental destruction and preservation, he said.

Mimika Secondary Education Office head Yesaya Sombuk said the school was expected to initiate a change in perspectives in the students and teachers and develop a greater respect for the environment.

He said teachers could be examples for the students in environmental action, through taking part in cleanup campaigns themselves instead of simply assigning students to do the work, for example.

“Teachers have to be creative in teaching students through example. Change, in teachers and students, has to start in school,” Yesaya said.

The regency’s environment agency head Zakarias Marey said that SMPN 2 Timika was the first school in Papua to be named an environmentally-focused school.

He said the regency administration would continue to support other schools applying to implement the environmental program.

SMPN 2 Timika principal Bernardus Manik said the school was determined to adopt the program, as they had learned how to do so from PT Freeport Indonesia’s environment division and a recent official visit to Australia.

To initiate the program the school prepared a field where students can practice planting several varieties of plants.

“We are ready to be the example of preservation of the environment in Mimika regency. We will teach our students how to respect the environment in their classes, their school and their communities,” Bernardus said.

Demianus Dimara of Freeport Indonesia said littering would be the biggest challenge for teachers to deal with, adding that while visiting SMPN 2 Timika before the program’s launch, he found a lot of plastic garbage in the school’s bathrooms and schoolyard.

“Students can change their attitudes with one simple step, such as not littering.”