Achieving environmental awareness is a collective endeavor that heavily relies on the synergy between family and school as the two main pillars of education. A clean and sustainable environment isn’t solely the responsibility of one party; it’s the result of understanding and habits instilled from an early age. The family acts as the primary fortress in character building, while the school serves as a formal institution that enriches knowledge and skills. The collaboration of these two institutions is vital for achieving environmental awareness that is both deep and lasting in young generations.
Within the family, the process of achieving environmental awareness begins with tangible examples set by parents. Simple habits like sorting trash at home, conserving water and electricity, or planting trees in the yard can be highly effective lessons for children. Discussions about the importance of maintaining cleanliness or the impact of excessive plastic use will also help children understand the broader context. For instance, in many families in Surabaya, on Sunday mornings, November 24, 2024, they regularly hold “Home Environment Clean-Up” activities involving all family members, instilling a shared sense of responsibility.
Meanwhile, schools play a formal role in achieving environmental awareness through their curriculum and extracurricular activities. Subjects like Science and Social Studies can integrate environmental issues. Schools can also implement “Adiwiyata” programs, which promote eco-friendly practices such as school waste banks or hydroponic garden projects. For the 2024/2025 academic year, Bunga Nusantara Junior High School launched the “School Environmental Ambassador” program, involving selected students as agents of change among their peers and families. School authorities, with support from the Environmental Agency and sometimes involving law enforcement officers in public awareness campaigns about the dangers of illegal waste disposal into rivers, ensure that environmental education is delivered comprehensively. Through the active role of the family as role models and the school as a facilitator of knowledge and practice, efforts toward achieving environmental awareness can be effective, nurturing a generation that cares for and is responsible for the Earth.