To advance education and strengthen local identity through the values of geopark, the Geopark-Integrated Curriculum Mentoring Program was officially launched in Belitung Regency. The event was opened by the Vice Regent of Belitung and attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) of the Republic of Indonesia, along with local education stakeholders.
During the event, the Head of the Education Division of the Belitong Geopark Management Body, Mr. Paryanta, delivered a speech on behalf of the Chairman of the Belitong Geopark Management Body. In his remarks, he emphasized that education plays a vital role in shaping a generation that understands and appreciates the geological, biological, and cultural wealth of Belitung. Through this program, schools are encouraged to integrate geopark values into their teaching and learning processes to nurture environmental awareness, creativity, and local pride among students from an early age.
The Geopark-Integrated Curriculum Mentoring Program is an initiative by the Ministry of Education to develop model schools that incorporate the concept of sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and cultural heritage preservation into the formal education system. Belitung has been chosen as one of the pilot regions for this national program, reflecting its recognition as part of the Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark network.
Several schools in Belitung will serve as pilot institutions for the implementation of the geopark-integrated curriculum, namely: TK Kartika, SD Negeri 17 Tanjungpandan, SMP Negeri 2 Tanjungpandan, SMA Negeri 1 Tanjungpandan, and SMK Negeri 1 Tanjungpandan. Each level of education will develop learning materials and activities that connect classroom lessons with real-life examples found within the Belitong Geopark, such as geological sites, biodiversity, and local traditions.
This program is expected to inspire students to become young ambassadors of the geopark movement, promoting sustainable living and love for their natural environment. By integrating geopark education into the school system, Belitong aims to create a generation that not only excels academically but also contributes actively to preserving the island’s unique heritage and ecosystem for future generations.
Correspondence Author: Septi Anggraheni