Ecoliteracy Education for Sustainable Behavior
A School–Community Partnership Model
Keywords:
ecoliteracy, sustainable agriculture, vocational education, school–community partnership, TemanggungAbstract
Purpose – Agricultural environments are increasingly challenged by land degradation, post-harvest waste, and unsustainable cultivation practices. This study aims to examine how a school–community partnership model can enhance ecoliteracy and promote sustainable behavior among students at Temanggung, particularly within the Agricultural Product Processing Technology and Agribusiness of Plantation Crops programs.
Design/methods/approach – This qualitative case study employed in-depth interviews with teachers, students, local farmers, and small-scale agro-processing entrepreneurs; participatory observation of school- and community-based environmental activities; and documentation of field practices. The partnership program was implemented through project-based learning initiatives focusing on agricultural waste utilization, environmentally friendly farming, and ecologically conscious product marketing.
Findings – The results indicate that integrating school learning with real-world experiences provided by local communities enhances students’ ecological understanding and raises awareness of sustainable agricultural practices. Students developed environmentally friendly processed products and demonstrated increased knowledge of soil and water conservation techniques within the context of plantation crop cultivation.
Research implications/limitations – This research is context-specific and limited to a single vocational school with an agricultural focus, thus its findings are not intended for broad generalization. Additionally, behavioral observations were conducted over a relatively short post-activity period.
Originality/value – This study presents a practical approach to cultivating ecoliteracy in vocational agricultural education through active collaboration with local communities. It highlights the critical role of agricultural vocational schools in developing environmentally conscious and innovation-oriented youth actors for sustainable development.
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