Pertamina Patra Niaga Holds Environmental Education Programme in Medan Coastal Area
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has carried out environmental education in the coastal area of Medan, North Sumatra, through its Sekolah Kawasan Pesisir, or Sekar, programme.
VP of Corporate Communications at Pertamina Patra Niaga, Kitty Andhora, said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Saturday that the Sekar programme was implemented at State Primary School 068426 in Nelayan Indah subdistrict, Medan Labuhan district, Medan.
“This programme is an environmental education initiative that aims to improve pupils’ literacy and awareness of coastal environmental preservation,” she said.
Through a learning-by-doing approach, Kitty said, pupils were equipped with knowledge as well as direct practice in waste management, sorting organic and inorganic waste, using composting houses, recycling, planting vegetation, and environmental clean-up actions.
Pertamina Patra Niaga also conducted educational activities on the use of a composting house, involving 20 pupils representing classes IV, V and VI.
The knowledge gained by the participants is expected to be passed on to all 497 pupils at the school, supported by 26 teaching staff, so that the programme’s benefits can be felt more widely.
The programme’s implementation also received support from various stakeholders, including the school supervisor for Medan Labuhan district, the Nelayan Indah subdistrict administration, and the Medan Labuhan district administration.
“This collaboration is an important part of building a sustainable culture of environmental care in coastal areas,” said Kitty.
Kitty also said that environmental education from an early age is an important investment in creating a generation that cares about environmental sustainability.
“Pertamina Patra Niaga believes that efforts to protect the environment must begin early. Through the Sekar programme, we are not only providing education, but also building positive habits through direct practice so that pupils can become agents of change in their schools, families, and coastal communities,” she said.
The programme, according to Kitty, is also part of the company’s commitment to delivering lasting benefits to communities through collaboration with various stakeholders, while supporting the creation of a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The head of State Primary School 068426, Nurhayati, expressed her appreciation for the Sekar programme.
“This programme provides enormous benefits for pupils in understanding how to sort waste, recognise the types of waste that can be recycled, and process it into various valuable creative works. Now, children no longer simply throw rubbish into bins, but are also able to turn it into creative products, such as butterfly-shaped wall decorations and other works,” she said.
Nurhayati expressed hope that the programme would continue, so that more pupils develop environmental awareness from an early age.
Kitty added that the programme is also supported by the use of a solar power plant (PLTS) at the school, which is able to save around Rp150,000 per month in electricity costs while also serving as a backup power source during blackouts.
“Through these various activities, pupils are encouraged to build habits of sorting waste, reducing environmental pollution, and understanding the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems as part of their daily lives,” she said.