^The Role of Natural School in Promoting Environmental Sustainability: A case study in South Papua^
(1)*Ekfindar Diliana, (2) Tobias Nggaruaka, (3) Syahfitriani Br Ginting

1,2,3) Teacher Training and Education Faculty,
Universitas Musamus Merauke, Jl. Kamizaun Mopah Lama, Rimba Jaya, Kec. Merauke, Kabupaten Merauke, Papua 99611
*ekfindardiliana[at]unmus.ac.id

Abstract

Abstract
Natural school, which is becoming increasingly popular, places nature as the source of learning. It requires students to directly interact with nature. The interaction will eventually shape students^ values, behaviour, habits to respect nature. This case study seeks to determine the function of natural schools in fostering environmental sustainability in South Papua. One natural school and four natural-curriculum based schools were chosen as samples. The data were collected through observation, questionnaire, and interview and were analyzed qualitatively. The findings demonstrated that nature school was centre for environmental preservation and raising student environmental consciousness. Students^ awareness to protect their source of raw material for human and to limit the impact of hazardous human exceed were the two primary areas grounded in natural curriculum in the schools- their school activities were, for instance, classifying and recycling trash, as well as cultivating some natural resources-e.g., fish, sago, paddy-and processing and marketing them. In addition, the curriculum of environmental preservation was implemented through local wisdom. This was identified as a specific curriculum that distinguishes nature schools in Papua from other locations.

Keywords: Natural School, Environmental Sustainability, Students^ Environmental Awareness

Topic: Sustainable Environmental in Multidisciplinary