Effectiveness of local culture supplement books in improving students’ ecoliteracy in coastal areas

Introduction. The growing popularity of the coastal area’s industry in the Sidoarjo district, East Java, Indonesia, not only had a significant impact on the local economy, but it has also caused ecological problems and an overall decrease in student literacy rates. Ecoliteracy is crucial to developing sustainable thinking in the next generation. Given the significant ecological challenges posed by the rapid expansion of agricultural industries in coastal areas, the study investigates the integration of local culture into educational materials to improve students’ understanding and appreciation for their surroundings Study participants and methods. The type of research used is quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest control group design pattern. The sample in this research is the primary school located in the coastal area’s farming, among them SDN Banjar Kemuning, Sedati District, SDN Gisik Cemandi, Sedati District and SDN Balongtani, Jabon District, all of them at Sidoarjo, with a total of 86 students. Data collected using test and lifting techniques consisting of 5 indicators of eco literation understanding. Test the hypothesis using independent t-test samples and using n-gain analysis. Results. The outcome of the research revealed that local-culture supplementary books were successful at increasing student eco-literacy in desired areas. This is demonstrated by the experimental class having a higher average value and n-gain value than the control class. Based on the results of the hypothesis test using the independent formula sample t-test obtained a significance value of 0,000 < 0,05 and t-value > t-table (8,486 > 1,663). The use of this supplementary book not only improves students’ knowledge of the environment but also motivates them to be more caring and responsible for the ecosystems around them. Integrating local wisdom into formal education can be an effective model for environmental education in a variety of other local contexts. KEYWORDS Practical significance. The study analysed the effectiveness of local cultural supplement books in improving student eco-literation in the coastal region of Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia. This research makes an important contribution to students’ understanding of local ecosystems, using local wisdom as a relevant and useful learning foundation. By considering the introduction of typical foods, local cultures, and traditional habitat points in the supplementary book, the study provides a better understanding to students of the complex relationship between humans and the environment in the desire area