{"id":18740,"date":"2025-01-06T13:32:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T06:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inovasi.or.id\/publication\/raising-awareness-microplastics-and-their-impact-on-students-health-and-learning-in-indonesia\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T08:55:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T01:55:37","slug":"raising-awareness-microplastics-and-their-impact-on-students-health-and-learning-in-indonesia","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/www.inovasi.or.id\/en\/publication\/raising-awareness-microplastics-and-their-impact-on-students-health-and-learning-in-indonesia\/","title":{"rendered":"Raising Awareness: Microplastics and Their Impact on Students\u2019 Health and Learning in Indonesia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
Two female students at MIN 1 Sidoarjo hold educational posters about the dangers of plastic waste with messages to protect the environment, including reducing marine plastic pollution.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Written by: Dian Kusuma Dewi<\/p>\n\n

Children in Indonesia face an invisible threat. Their home, the world\u2019s largest archipelagic nation, is now facing a growing plastic pollution crisis. Microplastics\u2014tiny particles of plastic\u2014are now found in water, soil, air, and food, posing significant risks to health and the environment. Children are most vulnerable to exposure to microplastics, which can disrupt their hormonal systems and cause various health issues. The harmful chemicals contained in the microplastic can also impair cognitive development, concentration, and lead to fatigue and reduced academic performance. <\/p>\n\n

Schools as Catalysts for Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Given their influence on communities, schools are in a unique position to raise awareness about microplastics among parents, educators, and other actors in the learning ecosystem, while also promoting sustainable practices. Some have started to walk the talk by incorporating environmental education into their curricula and day-to-day activities, like MIN 1 Sidoarjo and SDIT El-Haq in Sidoarjo, East Java, where INOVASI is active. These schools not only teach but also lead by example in showing how schools can help mitigate the threats against children. <\/p>\n\n

On December 13, 2024, students, teachers, and cafeteria staff at MIN 1 Sidoarjo participated in an interactive workshop on the dangers of microplastics. The event, organized in collaboration with Ecoton Foundation, allowed participants to examine bottled water under a microscope. The discovery of microplastics in the water shocked students like Kautsar, a sixth grader, who decided to switch and make use of a reusable tumbler from that point forward. <\/p>\n\n

The workshop also made a significant impact for the cafeteria staff. Nur Munfa\u2019ati, one of the food vendors, expressed her gratitude for the experience. \u201cThis activity demonstrated why plastic packaging is harmful, not just as a rule but with real evidence. I now understand the long-term impact on children\u2019s health,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n

The event stemmed from MIN 1 Sidoarjo\u2019s participation in a workshop on Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Climate Change organized by INOVASI \u2013 an Australian-Indonesian Governments\u2019 partnership in basic education \u2013 held in early December. The school principal, Sri Utami, also participated in this activity. \u201cOur policy banning plastic packaging in the cafeteria has been in place for some time, but many still questioned its necessity. Through this activity, everyone saw firsthand why plastics are dangerous,\u201d Sri Utami explained. <\/p>\n\n

Similarly, SDIT El-Haq, another school in Sidoarjo, also collaborated with Ecoton Foundation to educate its 600 students about the dangers of microplastics. During a session held on December 9, students learned how microplastics are formed, how they contaminate water and food supplies, and their potential health risks, including disruptions to hormonal and digestive systems.Lutfi Andriansa, the principal of SDIT El-Haq, emphasized the importance of instilling environmental awareness in children. \u201cWe hope this activity inspires students to contribute to environmental preservation from a young age. These children are the future leaders who will drive meaningful change,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n

Collaborations between schools and environmental organizations are essential in reducing plastic usage. \u201cThere are many actors working within the educational ecosystem. Part of INOVASI\u2019s role is to connect these organizations, individuals, and resources, and to facilitate partnerships that lead to thriving and sustainable learning environments for children,\u201d explains Adri Budi, East Java Provincial Manager of INOVASI. <\/p>\n\n

Both MIN 1 Sidoarjo and SDIT El-Haq serve as examples of how schools can be the agents of change. Practical measures, such as banning single-use plastics in cafeterias, encouraging students to bring reusable tumblers and lunch boxes, as well as involving parents and teachers in environmental initiatives, are effective ways to combat plastic pollution. Hands-on workshops, like those organized with Ecoton Foundation, not only provide education but also motivates students and staff to take action. <\/p>\n\n

Furthermore, incorporating environmental education into school curricula can have lasting impacts. By teaching students about the life cycle of plastics and their impact on health and environment, schools can instil habits that contribute to sustainable living from an early age. <\/p>\n\n

A Call to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Microplastic pollution is just one of the many growing environmental threats that requires urgent attention, particularly in a country like Indonesia, where the reliance on marine resources is high. Schools plays a critical role in addressing this issue. INOVASI is currently developing supplementary non-textbook reading materials for children, to help raise awareness and encourage sustainable practices. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cHealthy children require a healthy environment. Protecting our future begins with taking action today,\u201d as stated by Prigi Arisandi, Founder and Director of the Ecoton Foundation. Through the efforts of schools, communities, and organizations like INOVASI, we can collectively reduce microplastic pollution and ensure that students can thrive. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Children in Indonesia face an invisible threat. Their home, the world\u2019s largest archipelagic nation, is now facing a growing plastic pollution crisis. Microplastics\u2014tiny particles of plastic\u2014are now found in water, soil, air, and food, posing significant risks to health and the environment. Children are most vulnerable to exposure to microplastics, which can disrupt their hormonal systems and cause various health issues. The harmful chemicals contained in the microplastic can also impair cognitive development, concentration, and lead to fatigue and reduced academic performance. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":20704,"template":"","publication-category":[179],"where-we-works":[167],"resources":[],"class_list":["post-18740","publication","type-publication","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","publication-category-cerita-praktik-baik","where-we-works-jawa-timur"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRaising Awareness: Microplastics and Their Impact on Students\u2019 Health and Learning in Indonesia - INOVASI - Untuk Anak Indonesia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inovasi.or.id\/en\/publication\/raising-awareness-microplastics-and-their-impact-on-students-health-and-learning-in-indonesia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Raising Awareness: Microplastics and Their Impact on Students\u2019 Health and Learning in Indonesia - INOVASI - Untuk Anak Indonesia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Children in Indonesia face an invisible threat. 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