How KKNT Innovation IPB University Students in Karangsong Village Foster Smart, Creative and Innovative Children’s Character

IPB University’s Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKNT) students implemented the Song-Berceria programme, or Karangsong with Character, Smart, Creative, and Innovative at SDN 02 Karangsong, Indramayu, West Java.

The programme is aimed at elementary school students to develop smart, creative, innovative, and environmentally conscious characters. Song-Berceria includes socialisation on waste segregation, environmental conservation, as well as the practice of utilising waste into useful items again.

“Indeed, this programme is also part of learning for children and is important to be given and applied. We as teachers and school administrators are very grateful to IPB University students who have held this programme. Hopefully this will be the first step in shaping the character of children who are aware of their concern for the environment”, said Habsah as the Principal of SDN 02 Karangsong.

According to Alfiyanto Firdaus, a member of the KKNT Inovasi team, this activity was motivated by the lack of environmental awareness in the area. KKNT Inovasi IPB University students launched this programme to instil the importance of protecting the environment from an early age. 

“This programme aims to get the children used to throwing garbage in its place, sorting garbage, keeping the environment clean, and applying the 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle),” said Alfiyanto.

“Most of the children here have parents who work as fishermen, who can only return to their families after a few weeks or months. Therefore, their parents don’t pay enough attention to them,” added the SDN 02 Karangsong teacher.

In addition, Alfiyanto continued, IPB University students also donated waste bins from used bottles as part of the environmental awareness campaign. Another goal is to teach children to make work from used goods, as an effort to reduce and recycle waste. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)