Cirebon Regional Planning Agency Studies Solutions for Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Schools
The Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bapperida) of Cirebon Regency, West Java, is examining several solutions to reduce the impact of climate change on educational services in coastal schools.
Eva Musyaerofah, Head of Research and Innovation at Bapperida Cirebon, stated on Friday that these efforts are being carried out through a partnership with the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) and partners from the Innovation for Indonesian School Children (INOVASI) programme. This collaboration has produced several proposals, including adjusting school schedules in affected areas, developing adaptive learning methods, and strengthening climate change education within schools.
She noted that climate change has become a new challenge for the education sector, particularly in Cirebon’s coastal regions, which are frequently affected by tidal flooding (rob) and unpredictable weather patterns. According to Eva, the local government is striving to ensure that every policy formulated is based on research findings to address the needs of the most affected community groups.
“A data-driven approach is essential so that the resulting policies can provide protection for children from fishing families and other vulnerable groups,” she said. Her agency is committed to formulating implementable policy recommendations to strengthen the resilience of the education sector in coastal areas, which could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. She added that the issue cannot be resolved by a single institution but requires the involvement of various parties, including the government, academics, and educational units.
SDN Ambulu 3 in the Losari District of Cirebon has been identified as one of the locations requiring urgent attention due to the various impacts of climate change. The agency has recorded that schools in this coastal area experience disruptions caused by tidal flooding, while the economic conditions of students’ families, who rely on the fisheries sector, also impact the educational process.
Meanwhile, Dr. Irena, a researcher from UPI, emphasised the importance of strengthening the adaptation of education systems in several coastal areas to face climate change challenges. According to her, the situation at SDN Ambulu 3 demonstrates that climate issues can significantly affect learning opportunities and child development. “The phenomena occurring in coastal areas show that climate change does not only impact the environment but also affects students’ access to education,” she said.