Across at least 30 senior high

schools throughout Indonesia, students have actively engaged in discussions

about the issues shaping their communities. From the environment and social

change to democracy and civic engagement, this is the heart of Kawula17 Goes to

School (KGTS), an initiative by Kawula17, a youth-based program under the

Pelopor Pilihan 17 (PP17) foundation.

Kawula17 Goes to School is born

from a simple yet powerful idea: to help young Indonesians think critically

about real-world problems and understand their role as active citizens. Through

interactive workshops, discussions, and case studies, the programme encourages

students to analyse issues, identify causes, and propose their own solutions.

The sessions are designed to make

critical thinking fun, engaging, and rooted in everyday experiences. Rather

than lecturing, facilitators guide students to question assumptions, weigh

different perspectives, and present ideas confidently, skills that are

essential for participating in a democracy. The programme targets senior high

school students (SMA), typically aged 15 to 17, who are beginning to form their

civic identity. By creating a safe and dynamic space for them to explore

complex issues, KGTS helps young people connect personal experiences with

broader social and political realities.

KGTS is organised by Kawula17 in

collaboration with various local and national organisations that share its

mission of empowering youth. These include Ruang Belajar Aqil, AIESEC Indonesia

and the respective local chapters, as well as Ikatan Pelajar Muhammadiyah.

Since its first launch, KGTS has been held 17 times across Indonesia, from Medan to Sorong, reaching thousands

of students and teachers who share a common goal of nurturing open-minded,

socially aware young citizens.

A typical KGTS day begins with

opening remarks from the school and Kawula17 facilitators, followed by an

introduction to the theme of the day, often related to environmental and social

issues. Students are divided into small groups, each guided by a young

facilitator. Together, they discuss real case studies, brainstorm solutions,

and prepare presentations. The atmosphere is lively and collaborative. Sticky

notes cover classroom walls as students identify problems, map causes, and

propose actionable ideas. By the end of the day, each group presents its

findings to their peers, practising communication, teamwork, and leadership,

all while strengthening its understanding of democratic participation. The

activation received an enthusiastic response from students, with 79% finding

KGTS highly enjoyable and 92% considering it very beneficial.

So far, Kawula17 Goes to School

has delivered clear results in strengthening students’ awareness and

engagement. Among 1,800+ high

school students nationwide, a

significant majority described the programme as enjoyable and relevant. Using

Kawula17’s in-house Activism Scale, the share of highly active students rose

sharply after the workshop, “Frontliners” increased by 23% and “Activists” by

29%, while passive groups declined. The findings show that even a one-day,

school-based session can successfully turn awareness into action. The programme

also achieved a solid NPS of 23%,

with 41% of students saying they would (definitely) join again. Interest

was especially high in Purwokerto, Lampung, and Medan. These results confirm

that KGTS, already in its first year, inspires motivation to stay active in

social and environmental issues.