Enhancing Students’ Sustainability Awareness Through International Collaboration: A Study of the Australia-Indonesia Sister School Initiative

Abstract

In response to the urgent global need for sustainability education, this study investigates the effectiveness of international school partnerships in advancing students’ sustainability awareness. This study examines the impact of international school collaboration on Indonesian students’ sustainability awareness, with a focus on the Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnership Program between MAN Insan Cendekia Gowa and St. John’s Grammar School. Situated within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the research investigates how cross-cultural educational initiatives can enhance sustainability consciousness among school students in Indonesia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 96 students at MAN Insan Cendekia Gowa through a structured sustainability awareness questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests in SPSS. Qualitative data from teacher interviews were examined through thematic analysis. The findings indicate a statistically significant increase in students’ sustainability awareness following their participation in the partnership’s projects (p < 0.05). These projects, which included eco-brick making, virtual environmental discussions, and intercultural exchanges, contributed to students’ cognitive understanding, emotional engagement, and sustainable behavioral practices. Students reported a greater sense of environmental responsibility and demonstrated measurable changes in daily habits, such as reducing plastic use and promoting green practices. This study underscores the effectiveness of international school partnerships in contextualizing global sustainability challenges within local educational experiences. The findings offer valuable insights for educators and policymakers aiming to integrate global citizenship and sustainability education in Indonesian schools through collaborative and experiential learning models.

Save as a Favourite

Author Information
Nurul Inayah Khairaty, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Ali Muhtadi, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Andi Aan Fadriawan, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia