ECO-SOCIAL CHARACTER PROFILE OF COASTAL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: MANIFESTATION OF BINCI-BINCIKI KULI VALUES IN SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR
Hijrawatil Aswat (a*),Wa Ode Riniati (b)

a).Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton, Baubau, Indonesia *hijrawatil171208gmail.com
b).Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton, Baubau, Indonesia
*waoderiniati55[at]gmail.com

Abstract

This study aims to describe the eco-social character profile of coastal elementary students in Baubau City as a manifestation of the local wisdom values of Binci-Binciki Kuli, mutual care (popia-piara), mutual respect (pomae-maeka), mutual affection (pomamasiaka), and mutual uplifting (poangka-angkataka). A descriptive qualitative approach with embedded quantitative data was employed. The study involved 97 upper-grade students purposively selected from coastal elementary schools. Data were gathered through field observation, a four-point Likert scale, vignette-based tasks, and weekly reflection journals constructed around Binci-Binciki Kuli values. The results indicate that students exhibit high levels of social empathy and intercultural politeness, with mean scores of 3.52 and 3.41 respectively. Students frequently assisted fishermen, greeted vendors, and used polite language toward visitors. However, environmental awareness remained moderate (M = 3.12). Many students did not take initiative to clean the beach or remind peers not to litter, reflecting that social empathy outweighed ecological empathy. Thematic analysis revealed three major character patterns: (1) cross-professional empathy, (2) intercultural politeness, and (3) developing eco-social responsibility.
This study introduces the concept of eco-social character, a synthesis between social character and environmental morality rooted in local wisdom. The Binci-Binciki Kuli philosophy serves as a contextual pedagogy that cultivates empathy, tolerance, and environmental responsibility among students in multicultural coastal settings. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating local values into character education programs and contextual learning modules in Indonesia^s Merdeka Curriculum to promote sustainable and inclusive citizenship.

Keywords: eco-social character, Binci-Binciki Kuli, local wisdom, character education, coastal community.

Topic: Governance, Policy, and Education of Coastal Area