IPB’s KKN-T Launches Selangit Green School: Sowing Hope, Nurturing an Environmentally Conscious Generation in Cibunian Village
Learning does not always have to take place in the classroom. For the children of Cipatat, Cibunian Village, Bogor Regency, learning also takes the form of growing bean sprouts, washing their hands, exercising and collecting rubbish together.
Through Selangit Green School, students from IPB University’s Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKN-T) in Cibunian Village have created an enjoyable learning experience through experiential learning. The programme combines learning, games and interactive activities. It runs over six sessions, held every Saturday and Sunday.
Team representative Yessi Agustina Sri Rezeki explained that the programme was designed to instil a sense of care for the environment, health, and the children’s character development. Each activity is structured so that participants can learn through real life experiences.
The journey began with a simple bean sprout cultivation activity. By observing the seeds gradually growing into sprouts, the children learnt that all life requires patience, attention and care.
The next session featured English Day. The children were introduced to vocabulary and simple conversations in English through interactive activities. In the third session, the Power Wash Rangers theme highlighted the importance of personal hygiene through the habit of washing hands properly.
At the fourth session, the children took part in various gymnastics exercises with great enthusiasm and joy. As well as improving their physical fitness, this activity also taught them that looking after their health is an important part of supporting children’s learning, play and growth and development.
Awareness of the environment was further reinforced at the fifth session through the theme Protect the Environment. The children were invited to take part in a clean up initiative, or operation ant, around Saung Manfaat and MI Al-Bayan.
The Selangit Green School programme concluded with Fun Day, a joyful occasion that served as the culmination of the entire learning journey. A range of educational games and quizzes tested the knowledge the participants had gained throughout the programme.
The children were invited to write down their aspirations and dreams on star and rocket shaped pieces of paper, which they then stuck onto the Selangit Mimpi poster. The poster, which had initially been blank, gradually filled with the colourful hues of hope, symbolising that every child has a dream worth fighting for.
“This moment serves as a reminder that education is a bridge to a better future,” said Yessi.
Throughout the six sessions, the participants’ enthusiasm never waned. The children attended with great curiosity, actively took part in every activity, were brave enough to try new experiences, and worked together in various activities.
“Through Selangit Green School, we hope that the values of environmental awareness, a healthy lifestyle, cooperation, courage and a passion for learning will continue to flourish within each participant,” she said. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HRD)
