Environmental Curriculum Crucial for Education System: Minister Nadiem

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim in a public discussion on Wednesday argues that environmental education that puts forward the concept of sustainability is crucial for transforming the country’s education system. 

“We must admit that compared to developed countries, Indonesia’s education system is still falling behind,” said the Minister in the discussion with Change.org on November 17.

He elaborates that the system has not sparked the awareness from teachers and parents that environment-based education is a solution in saving future generations, especially in terms of tackling climate change. Nadiem says that people’s needs must not sacrifice nature. 

According to Nadiem, the holistic transformation of the education system is one of the goals of the independent learning program that prioritizes climate education. He also appreciates the younger generation who are starting to talk about climate change so that they can be included in the school curriculum.

Climate Education Now representative, Supandi Saputra, says he and his colleagues create petitions in Change.org in hopes of pushing the government to include climate curriculum in Indonesia’s education world. 

“If the climate crisis continues, going forward, we will bear the brunt of the worst hunger and malnutrition, and diseases,” said Supandi.

Read: Greenpeace Indonesia Criticizes Jokowi's COP26 Climate Speech

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