Gowa , South Sulawesi , Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education — Used plastic bottles and scraps of fabric , previously considered unusable , have found a new use at Integrated National School (SNT) 9 Gowa , South Sulawesi. Through a hydroponic co-curricular activity that began on September 14, 2026, students learn to plant while observing , measuring , recording , designing , and finding solutions when plants encounter problems .
This activity is part of SNT 9 Gowa's efforts to build a learning culture based on practice and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Sports (STEAMS) approach . This experience also aligns with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's (Kemendikdasmen) efforts to strengthen the foundations of basic education.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, emphasized the importance of the foundation of basic education. "The President conveyed to me the importance of basic education. Just as we build a house, basic education is the foundation for subsequent education. Therefore, in this first year, we are striving to lay a strong foundation for realizing quality education for all," Abdul Mu'ti explained in Jakarta some time ago.
The principal of SNT 9 Gowa, M. Sahrul, explained that hydroponics is currently still a practical co-curricular activity and has not been fully integrated into STEAMS learning. However, this activity provides a space to foster important learning habits. "Through hydroponics, children learn discipline in caring for plants, observing growth, and being responsible for watering and checking nutrition," Sahrul said in a written statement on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
SNT 9 Gowa teacher Rini Karsini said the practice was born from the spirit of "My School is Clean, I Achieve Success." Students are encouraged to utilize simple objects around the school as productive learning tools. "When we talk about the STEAMS element , it's actually very much embedded in every process ," Rini said.
Science is present when students learn about photosynthesis , nutrition , and water pH. Technology and engineering emerge when they use pH meters and assemble wick systems from used bottles . Art is seen in garden layout , while mathematics is used to measure plant height , leaf number , and pH levels , then present these results in tables and graphs .
For Alula Farzana Ayunindya , a 7th grade student , the practice brought concepts that previously felt abstract closer to us . " Science lessons about plant parts and photosynthesis, which we had only read about in books , became really easy to understand when we mixed AB Mix nutrients and watched our plants grow , " she explained .
Learning does n't stop when the plants grow . When the wick isn't working optimally, leaves wilt , moss appears , or the hose becomes clogged , students are encouraged to find the cause and try solutions . "We don't panic ; we usually discuss it with our group , reread the instructions in the worksheet, ask the teacher, and then assign assignments ," Alula said .
According to Rini, this situation provides an opportunity for students to develop problem- solving , collaboration , responsibility , and thoroughness skills . Teachers act as facilitators , helping students understand problems and find solutions .
Changes are also visible in the daily routine of the school . Sahrul said students now arrive earlier to check the plants before class . " The most obvious change is a sense of belonging to the school ," he said .
After hydroponics , SNT 9 Gowa prepared a Smart Trash Bin project for seventh grade students in October 2026. This project will use Engineering Design Process , Arduino microcontroller or micro, distance sensor , and servo motor to create a trash can that can open the lid automatically . For Alula, the project has been awaited by her friends . "What the classmates are most looking forward to is the excitement when they assemble the trash can lid that can open itself without being touched ," she said .
Sahrul hopes the series of projects will shape students who are able to identify issues in their environment and devise solutions . "We want SNT 9 Gowa students to become problem solvers rooted in local issues but able to think in a global technological way , " he said . * ** (Author: Rany / Editor : Denty / Documentation: SNT 9 Gowa Team )
Bureau of Communication and Public Relations
Secretariat General
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Website: kemendikdasmen.go.id
X: x.com/Kemdikdasmen
Instagram: instagram.com/kemendikdasmen
Facebook: facebook.com/kemendikdasmen
YouTube: Ministry of Education and Culture
Questions and Complaints: ult.kemendikdasmen.go.id
Press Release from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education: kemendikdasmen.go.id/pencarian/siaran-pers
#QualityEducationforAll
#MinistryOfEducationAndEducationFriendly
