By Anastasia Joanita
"Being a teacher means being an example of an example", explained Mr. H. Budiyanto, SPd. MM, Principal of SMP 2, Belimbing Village, Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan.

Mr. Budiyanto is the Principal of SMP Negeri 2 Belimbing, Belimbing District, Melawi Regency since October 2010. A graduate of IKIP PGRI, Yogya and Tanjung Pura University's Master's Program, he believes that education is the key to improving the welfare of the community and helping solve current problems. Born in Kulon Progo 44 years ago, this man has devoted his time and work in the field of education consistently. Before becoming a principal, Mr. Budiyanto was a BP teacher at SMP Negeri 2 Nanga Pinoh for almost 12 years. This also received full support from his wife and two children.

As a teacher, Mr. Budiyanto experiences several obstacles such as dealing with children who lack motivation to learn. On the other hand, in carrying out his role as a Principal, he admitted that he did not experience many obstacles. "Indeed, the willingness of parents is different. Most of them see school as an add-on. I always try to reach out to parents to give them an understanding that education is important for our children," she said.

When she first came to SMPN 2 Belimbing, the school was barren, full of bushes, and poorly maintained. But then since becoming Principal, he has been able to give several achievements to the school. Currently, the school has 50 medals obtained from various championships both at the district and provincial levels for championships participated by students in academic and non-academic fields. Mr. Budiyanto's own achievements include the award as Outstanding Teacher ranked first at the junior high school teacher level in Melawi Regency and as Chairperson of the Indonesian Guidance and Counseling Teachers Association at the Melawi Regency level in 2010 until now.

Education Program for Sustainable Development

In early August 2012, SMP Negeri 2 Belimbing became a school that was included in the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) program by WWF Indonesia. This program is implemented by approaching the school as a whole, which consists of school culture and ethos, teaching and learning, students, community involvement, infrastructure, monitoring, and evaluation. WWF Indonesia, through this ESD program, guides schools to become a center of learning for the school community as well as for the surrounding community, especially in the Heart of Borneo.

Many positive things and values are getting better implemented in this school by following the ESD program where local themes are integrated in the subjects. Be it environmental, social, and economic themes. Together with the teachers, students do organic waste management. The students also manage the dragon fruit garden. At harvest time, the fruit is sold and also consumed at school. The state and condition of the school is now more beautiful. This also shows that the success rate in instilling the importance of protecting the environment for students has increased.

For Pak Budiyanto, participating in the ESD program is able to form people who are intellectually intelligent, respect natural and cultural heritage, have a perspective on the present and the future. The teacher, who also has a side business by opening a solo organ business, hopes that SMP Negeri 2 Belimbing will one day be able to become a school with national standards and the best quality. "Hopefully in the future SMP Negeri 2 can become a school that will always be idolized by alumni and new students who will enroll. The quality of education can be the best and a more conducive teaching and learning process will bring this school to excellence and an example for other schools," he said.