Tag Archives: education

23Dec/25

Nurturing Conservation Awareness Among the Young Generation in Mentawai

Blog Post, ,

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. 

15Oct/23

Gibbon goes to school: conservation education activity for school children around the gibbon habitat

Blog Post, ,

by : Kurnia Ahmaddin

camping and introduction about wildlife conservation to students

The swaraowa team has carried out a series of visits to schools and villages around the gibbon habitat, during the period from May to October 2023 :

Senior High School ( SMA 1 Ma’arif Doro)

On May 30 2023, swaraowa visited SMA 1 Ma’arif, in Doro District, together with the supervising teacher and approximately 50 students, we introduced primates and other wildlife, especially wild birds, in the Sokokembang forest, which is only approximately 25 km from this school. This activity is packaged in a classroom atmosphere and field practice for observing bird species around the school.

introducing wildlife watching to kids

Children at  Sokokembang village

On August 27 2023, SwaraOwa together with postgraduate Biology students at Gadjah Mada University held an exploration activity entitled “Learning closer to nature”. This activity is aimed at elementary school students in Sokokembang Hamlet, Kayupuring Village, Sokokembang, Petungkriyono. The aim of this activity is to increase children’s awareness of the forest and the surrounding environment. There are three main objects for exploration, namely birds, butterflies and dragonflies.

The complete report on this activity can be read here: https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2023/09/school-eksplorasi-ke-1.html

group photo with students participants SMA 1 Batang

Senior High School ( SMA 1 Batang)

On September 30 and October 1, the swaraOwa team carried out conservation education activities for the nature lover group Gasmapala senior high school SMA 1 Batang. Located in Welo Asri, Kayupuring village there are 33 students accompanied by 4 teachers. The aim of this activity is to introduce wild animals and provide the basics of techniques for observing wild animals, especially primates and birds.

The event on the first day included class presentations and discussions, then students became increasingly curious about the wildlife in the Petungkriyono forest. Responding to students’ curiosity, on the second day from 7.30 to 11.00, we and the students observed wildlife around Welo Asri. We divided the team into 4, with the help of Welo Asri’s friends, we accompanied them while conducting observations in the field. At the end of the session, as usual, students are given assignments to present to each group. The results of the students’ presentations were quite good in explaining the physical characteristics of the animals they encountered, starting from the Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus) and several types of birds, namely Pelangi Pentis (Prionochilus percussus), Fire-flowered Chili (Dicaeum trigonostigma) and Kutilang Cucak (Pycnonotus aurigaster). Finally, suggestions from SMA 1 Batang teachers are that they hope that every semester there will be joint activities with Swaraowa.

This school visit activity is not only intended to disseminate conservation messages to school-age children, but also serves as a means of increasing the team’s capacity and increasing experience in communicating conservation activities to school children. Our team also involves local residents who usually take part in research or monitoring activities, they become direct companions for the children, most of whom are also their neighbors. reducing the feelings  of shy among kidswho are usually not to brave to interact directly with people they don’t know, for the team of local residents at least this motivates them to do something for the village and the people closest to them in the school environment.