School Assistance in Implementing the Green School Program to Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a mentoring program in improving teachers’ and students’ capacity to implement Green School principles and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at SMA Negeri 1 Tanjung Raja. The study employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach combined with service learning, involving 1 school principal, 15 teachers, and 60 students. Data were collected through observation, questionnaires, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative techniques. The results showed a significant improvement in teachers’ understanding of sustainability concepts, increasing from 35% before mentoring to 85% after mentoring. Teachers also demonstrated enhanced pedagogical capacity by integrating sustainability into lesson plans and implementing project-based environmental learning. In addition, students’ environmental awareness and participation improved substantially, with 80% actively involved in school cleaning activities, 75% participating in tree planting programs, and 70% adopting environmentally friendly behaviors. The mentoring program also contributed to the development of structured Green School initiatives, including waste segregation systems, school greening programs, and sustainability-integrated learning. Furthermore, the school demonstrated improved institutional capacity to support SDGs, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Overall, the mentoring program had a transformative impact on teachers, students, and the school institution by fostering a sustainability-oriented culture and strengthening the implementation of sustainable education practices.