photo group with students of Senior higschool of South Siberut

By : Nur Aoliya

Since 2019, SwaraOwa has organized primate conservation education programs with local communities in Mentawai, initially focusing on training Mentawai cultural teachers. In 2025, the program’s target shifted to elementary through high school students, with the following objectives:
• Provide students with basic understanding of biodiversity, ecological roles, and threats to Mentawai’s endemic primates.
• Integrate scientific knowledge and local cultural wisdom into learning about primate conservation in Mentawai.
• Encourage environmental awareness and pro-conservation behavior among students from an early age.

The program was originally scheduled for November 19–20, 2025, but due to storms it was postponed to November 21–22, 2025, in South Siberut. The first session took place at SMP Negeri South Siberut with 42 eighth-grade students. On the same day, the agenda continued at SD Negeri 06 Madobag with 46 students from grades IV–VI. On the final day, the program was attended by 39 students from SMA Negeri 1 South Siberut, representing student organizations such as OSIS, Sispala, Scouts, and PKS.
Materials were delivered by Eka Arismayanti for elementary and junior high students, while Kurnia Akhmadin presented to high school students. The sessions began with a brief introduction to SwaraOwa, followed by an interactive presentation of about 60 minutes, and concluded with light discussions and a quiz with prizes. The content was tailored to the age group, considering differences in reasoning abilities and appropriate teaching methods.

introductory about primate diversity in Mentawai by Swaraowa team

For elementary and junior high students, the material generally covered ecology and primates, threats, the connection between Mentawai culture and primates, and the role of humans in conservation efforts. The difference lay in the teaching method: elementary students were engaged with more visuals and props such as primate dolls. Both groups showed good focus during the sessions, but discussion styles varied—elementary discussions tended to be one-way from the presenter, while junior high students engaged in two-way Q&A interactions.

giving books of Mentawai birds and Primates to the teacher

High school students received more in-depth material on conservation issues related to the water cycle, benefits of flora and fauna, Mentawai primate ecology and its cultural ties, as well as opportunities for youth involvement in conservation actions. Discussions at the high school level involved not only the presenter and students but also exchanges among students themselves, making the dialogue interactive and multi-directional. One debated issue was the use of primates as food outside of traditional ceremonies.

The open presentation and discussion approach proved effective in encouraging student participation at the junior and senior high levels. Meanwhile, for elementary students, more interactive methods are needed to strengthen engagement. This program is expected to be an initial step in fostering awareness and concern among the younger generation for primate conservation and environmental preservation.

Translated from original article in bahasa here : https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/swaraowa-dan-sekolah-mentawai-membangun.html.