Eco-Pedagogy in Inclusive Schools: Food Security as a Foundation for Sustainable Education
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i1.13934Published:
2026-01-25Downloads
Abstract
This study examines how food security can serve as a pedagogical foundation for advancing eco-pedagogy in inclusive elementary education across two contrasting contexts: a nature-based private school and an Islamic elementary madrasa. Using a multi-site qualitative design, it applies participatory ethnographic methods through observations, semi-structured interviews, and school ethnography involving teachers, parents, leaders, and students, including those with special needs. The nature-based school operationalizes eco-pedagogy through hydroponics, organic waste management, and gardening, fostering ecological literacy, collaboration, and shared responsibility. The madrasa frames food security within Islamic commitments to justice, positioning it as both a goal of eco-activism and an expression of religiously grounded social responsibility. Together, these cases show that eco-pedagogy in the Global South extends beyond secular environmentalism and is enriched by faith-based ethics and community practices. The study concludes that embedding food security within inclusive school management broadens eco-pedagogy by situating sustainability education in diverse cultural and religious ecologies, highlighting inclusive schools as effective models of sustainable and socially just education.
Keywords:
Eco-pedagogy Food security Inclusive education Sustainability educationReferences
Akbar, A., Darma, R., Fahmid, I. M., & Irawan, A. (2023). Determinants of Household Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia. Sustainability, 15(5), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054131 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054131
Amaliati, S., Rusydiyah, E. F., & Bakar, M. Y. A. (2024). Ecopedagogy and Environmental Literacy in Research Trends in Indonesia. Qalamuna, 16(2), 1083–1100. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v16i2.5359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v16i2.5359
Aragón, L., & Erdozain, B. (2025). Can school gardens contribute to resilient communities from a scientific and eco ‑ social perspective in early childhood education ? Journal of Outdoor Environmental Education, 7(67), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-024-00185-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-024-00185-1
Balan, I. M., Trasca, T. I., Ocnean, M., Horablaga, A., Mateoc-Sirb, N., Salasan, C., Tiu, J. V., Radoi, B. P., Lile, R. A., & Firu Negoescu, G. A. (2025). Connecting SDG 2: Zero Hunger with the Other SDGs—Teaching Food Security and the SDGs Interdependencies in Higher Education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(16), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167496 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167496
Cañón-vargas, A. M., & Melo-mora, S. P. (2025). School gardens as a research setting for early childhood children to strengthen their environmental awareness and scientific skills. Discover Education, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00785-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00785-z
Christodoulou, A., & Grace, M. (2025). Becoming ‘ Wild Citizens ’: Children ’ s Articulation of Environmental Citizenship in the Context of Biodiversity Loss. Science & Education, 34(3), 969–997. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-024-00558-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-024-00558-4
Cicchino, A. S., Balgopal, M. M., Weinberg, A. E., & Mcmeeking, L. B. S. (2023). Critical pedagogy of place to enhance ecological engagement activities. Practice and Policy, 37(October 2022), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14023
Darracott, R. (2024). Ecopedagogy in Remote Digitally Facilitated Field Education Experiences : Embedding Ecosocial Work in Practice. Social Science Studies, 13(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120633 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120633
Fadli, Z., Ismail, I., Pattimura, U., Bosowa, U., & Puangrimaggalatung, U. (2026). Social Policy, Food Security, and Educational Motivation: Analyzing the Implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program in Urban Indonesia. Baileo: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora, 3(2), 407–425. Retrieved from https://shorturl.asia/TnmR6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30598/baileofisipvol3iss2pp407-425
Guio, A. (2023). Free school meals for all poor children in Europe : An important and affordable target ? Children & Society, 37(January), 1627–1645. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12700
Hoover, A., Vandyousefi, S., Martin, B., Nikah, K., Cooper, M. H., Muller, A., Marty, E., Duswalt-epstein, M., Burgermaster, M., Waugh, L., Linkenhoker, B., & Davis, J. N. (2021). Barriers , Strategies , and Resources to Thriving School Gardens. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(7), 591–601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.02.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.02.011
Hultgren, A., Carleton, T., Delgado, M., Gergel, D. R., Greenstone, M., Houser, T., Hsiang, S., Jina, A., Kopp, R. E., Malevich, S. B., Mccusker, K. E., Mayer, T., Nath, I., & Rising, J. (2025). Impacts of climate change on global agriculture accounting for adaptation. Nature, 642(February 2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09085-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09085-w
Jones, V., & Bear, C. (2025). Learning to care in the food system : Education for Sustainable Development resources , food education and the farming of animals for food. Environmental Education Research, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2025.2504532 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2025.2504532
Kanosvamhira, T. P. (2025). Growing together: unveiling the potential of school-based community gardens to foster well-being, empowerment, and sustainability. Urban Transformations, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-024-00069-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-024-00069-z
Karpouzis, F., Anastasiou, K., Lindberg, R., Walsh, A., Shah, S., & Ball, K. (2025). Systematic Review Effectiveness of School-based Nutrition Education Programs that Include Environmental Sustainability Components , on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of 5 − 12YearOld Children : A Systematic Review. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 57(7), 627–642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.02.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.02.008
Kempler, J. V, Margerison, C., Nanayakkara, J., & Booth, A. (2025). Examining the role of school food gardens , food waste systems and cooking facilities in experiential education : a cross-sectional survey of primary school teachers ’ practices. Archives of Public Health, 83(285). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01761-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01761-7
Kirana, E., Zam, F., & Henjilito, R. (2025). Analysis of the Impact of Inclusive Education on the Social Development of Students with Special Needs in Primary Schools. Journal of Foundational Learning and Child Development, 27, 6–11. https://doi.org/10.53905/ChildDev.v1i01.2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.53905/ChildDev.v1i01.2
Kong, C., & Chen, J. (2024). School garden and instructional interventions foster children’s interest in nature. People Natur, 6(May 2023), 712–732. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10597
Kotz, M., Kuik, F., Lis, E., & Nicke, C. (2024). Global warming and heat extremes to enhance inflationary pressures. Communication Earth & Environment, 5(2024), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01173-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01173-x
Kwon, S., & Kang, H. (2025). Exploring the relationship between sustainability and human rights : ecological transition education and its relevance to students ’ human rights in South Korean education. Asia Pacific Education Review, 26(3), 839–850. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-025-10070-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-025-10070-1
Lima, Oliveira, H. de, Silva, L. M. da, Tavares, L. R., Araújo, A. C. L. F. de, Moreira, L. P., Torres, V. de M. S., Oliveira, F. N. de, Ho, A. M.-H., Simões, D., & Vieira, G. B. M. & J. E. (2025). Association between hospital accreditation and healthcare providers’ perceptions of patient safety culture: a longitudinal study in a healthcare network in Brazil. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 14(27), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-025-00690-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-025-00690-8
Mahdi, H., Sari, S. W., Sari, S. I., & Nazwa, N. R. (2024). Green Islamic School : Integrating Environmental Education in the Islamic Education Curriculum. Cendekiawan: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Studi Keislaman, 3(3), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.61253/cendekiawan.v3i3.270 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61253/cendekiawan.v3i3.270
Martin, A. E., Haines, J., & Fraser, E. D. G. (2024). Development of the Food Systems Literacy Competencies Framework for youth : A modified Delphi study with experts. Food Policy, 128(August), 102702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102702 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102702
Misiaszek, G. W. (2023). Ecopedagogy: Freirean teaching to disrupt socio-environmental injustices, anthropocentric dominance, and unsustainability of the Anthropocene. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 55(11), 1253–1267. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2022.2130044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2022.2130044
Nugraha, R. G., Jalal, F., Program, P., & Jakarta, U. N. (2022). Improving Student ’ S Eco -Literacy Skills Through The Use Of The Eco-Literacy Module. Indonesia Journal of Sicoal Research, 4(3), 178–186. https://doi.org/10.30997/ijsr.v4i3.231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30997/ijsr.v4i3.231
Nugroho, U. E., Nugroho, A. S., & Hayat, M. S. (2025). Bridging Sustainability and Pedagogy: A Narrative Review of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Implementation in Indonesian Science Education. Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu Dan Pembelajaran Matematika Dan IPA IKIP Mataram, 13(2), 348–374. https://doi.org/10.33394/j-ps.v13i2.15116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/j-ps.v13i2.15116
Orman, T. F. (2024). Exploring youth eco-literacy through lived experiences . ‘ When you purchase a pair of jeans , you bear the burden of child labor in South Asia. The Journal of Environmental Education, 55(5), 363–377. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2024.2345354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2024.2345354
Puteri, S. A., Sekarningrum, B., & Lesmana, A. C. (2025). Pembentukan Kesadaran Neurodiversitas dalam Pendidikan Inklusi Berbasis Alam melalui Tinjauan Interaksionisme Simbolik di Sekolah Alam Bandung. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 8(3), 505–520. https://doi.org/10.37329/ganaya.v8i3.4757 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37329/ganaya.v8i3.4757
Putra, L. V. (2020). Analysis of the Hydroponics Program in Instilling an Environmental Care Attitude for Elementary School Students. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengkajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(3), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.36312/e-saintika.v4i3.273 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36312/e-saintika.v4i3.273
Spill, M. K., Trivedi, R., Thoerig, R. C., Balalian, A. A., Schwartz, M. B., Gundersen, C., Odoms-Young, A., Racine, E. F., Foster, M. J., Davis, J. S., & MacFarlane, A. J. (2024). Universal Free School Meals and School and Student Outcomes: A Systematic Review. JAMA Network Open, 7(8), e2424082. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24082 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24082
Stephens, C. G., Antwi, S. H., & Linnane, S. (2025). Universal Design for Learning ( UDL ): a framework for re-design of an Environmental Education ( EE ) outreach program for a more inclusive and impactful Science Festival event. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 4(217). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00660-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00660-x
Strgar, J., Torkar, G., Krajšek, S. S., & Torkar, G. (2025). The purpose of the school garden is more than just growing plants. Journal of Biological Education, 00(00), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2025.2489512 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2025.2489512
Sundin, N., Malefors, C., Strotmann, C., Orth, D., Kaltenbrunner, K., Obersteiner, G., Scherhaufer, S., Sj, A., Persson, C., Strid, I., & Eriksson, M. (2024). Sustainability assessment of educational approaches as food waste prevention measures in school catering. Journal of Cleaner Production, 481(25). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144196 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144196
Szentendrey, R. (2025). School Gardens as Commons : Fostering Relational Values for Biodiversity Through Participatory Environmental Education. International Journal of the Commons, 19(1), 431–443. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijc.1539 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijc.1539
Taufik, M., Kejora, B., Komariah, A., Herawan, E., & Sudarsyah, A. (2025). Ekopesantren : An Ecology-Based Education Model with Local Wisdom Supports the Sustainable Development Goal ’ s. Al Islah: Jurnal Kependidikan, 17, 291–306. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6246 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6246
Vandeyar, S. (2025). Decolonialisation of education : the pre-service teacher turn. Teacher Development, 29(2), 187–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2024.2401872 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2024.2401872
Viktor, A. (2024). Climate Change in Religious Education and the Importance of Hope : A Systematic Review of International Journal Articles 2000 – 2022 Climate Change in Religious Education and the Importance of Hope : A Systematic Review of International. Religious Education, 119(3), 191–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2024.2340175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2024.2340175
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nurhattati, Rihlah Nur Aulia, Ahmad Jauhari Hamid Ripki, Raihan Syarif, Fadhillah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).






