Portrait of Ecoliteracy Competence in Elementary School Students: Relationship of Ecoliteracy Competence on Environmental Sustainability in Indonesia

Abstract

Several studies in the ecosystem field have found that ecoliteracy competence plays an important determining role towards preserving the natural environment. Although there is a lot of research on environmental issues in various countries especially in Indonesia, only a few studies have been conducted on ecoliteracy competencies, let alone on elementary school students. The implication is on the quality of human resources who have low environmental awareness can cause many problems related to environmental damage and natural disasters. This research aims to explore the portrait and influence of elementary school students' ecoliteracy competencies on nature conservation and investigate supporting and inhibiting factors for implementing the concept of ecoliteracy in Indonesia. Based on the results of a questionnaire with 170 respondents in five districts/cities that are Purbalingga, Pekalongan, Jambi, Sleman and Surabaya, this research found a positive and significant influence of ecoliteracy competence on environmental sustainability among elementary school students in Indonesia in 2022/2023 (Fcount = 14.025 > Ftable = 3.906; p = 0.000), so this research shows that the Adiwiyata school program and Nature and local wisdom are supporting factors for implementing the concept of ecoliteracy among students. In conclusion, students' ecoliteracy competencies need to be developed, especially in formal education by integrating government programs such as nature schools and Adiwiyata schools and supported by local wisdom with the hope that students will be able to have a sense of concern for environmental sustainability.