The Jakarta School Strike: Student Activism and the Fight for Climate Justice in Indonesia’s Curriculum

Abstract

This paper explores the role of student activism in advocating for climate justice within Indonesia’s education system, focusing on the 2020 Jakarta school strike. The strike, organized by high school students, was a response to the lack of comprehensive climate change education in the national curriculum. Through an analysis of the strike’s goals, media coverage, and interviews with student leaders and educators, the study examines the ways in which student activism has challenged the traditional, rigid educational framework and called for the integration of environmental education and climate justice into school curricula. The paper investigates how student-led movements are influencing education policy in Indonesia and the broader societal debate on climate change. Findings suggest that while the strike garnered significant public attention, it also revealed the deep gaps in the current curriculum’s ability to address environmental issues. The paper argues that climate justice education is a vital component of preparing the next generation to confront global challenges. It concludes with recommendations for incorporating climate change education into the formal curriculum, teacher training programs, and promoting youth engagement in environmental decision-making.