Throughout October 2026, Agincourt Resources monitored six supported schools: SD Negeri No. 100712 Hapesong Lama, SDS No. 100910 Islam Terpadu Faza Azkia, SMP Negeri 1 Muara Batang Toru, SMP Negeri 2 Muara Batang Toru, SMP Negeri 1 Batang Toru and SMP Negeri 2 Batang Toru. The monitoring aimed to help schools apply knowledge gained through training, establish good waste management habits and prepare to act as facilitators for other schools participating in the Adiwiyata programme.

The Adiwiyata programme promotes environmentally conscious schools with a strong culture of environmental responsibility. As part of this initiative, Agincourt Resources supports 15 schools as they progress towards Adiwiyata recognition at regency, provincial, national and independent levels. Monitoring helps assess the implementation of the programme while preparing schools for potential field verification by the assessment team.

One example of this progress can be seen at SDS Islam Terpadu Faza Azkia in Muara Batang Toru. The school has begun implementing a healthy canteen initiative by reducing the use of plastic bags and plastic food packaging. Students and other members of the school community are encouraged to bring reusable containers as a practical way to reduce waste at its source.

Hasda Nami Harahap, the Adiwiyata programme coordinator at SDS Islam Terpadu Faza Azkia, explained that these habits form part of a broader effort to promote healthy living and environmental responsibility.

“Through our healthy canteen initiative, we are committed to reducing the use of plastic bags and plastic-packaged snacks. We encourage members of the school community to bring and use reusable containers, choose healthier snacks and reduce waste at its source. For us, a healthy canteen is more than just a place to buy food; it is a place to instil good habits for the sake of a healthy generation and a more sustainable planet,” she said.

Other good practices can be found at SMP Negeri 1 Batang Toru and SMP Negeri 2 Batang Toru. Both schools have begun making waste sorting a routine part of school activities, including after events and the provision of Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis, or MBG). Non-organic waste, such as plastic and cardboard, is separated and sold for recycling, giving these materials economic value.

Meanwhile, SMP Negeri 1 Muara Batang Toru has developed a system for processing organic waste into eco-enzyme and fertiliser. The fertiliser is used to grow vegetables within the school grounds. The resulting harvest can then be sold, generating additional income while supporting school activities.

These initiatives demonstrate that waste management can deliver benefits beyond maintaining a clean environment. When properly sorted and processed, waste can become a resource that supports school activities, generates income and strengthens the school community’s independence in implementing the Adiwiyata programme.

Through ongoing guidance and monitoring, Agincourt Resources is encouraging the Waste-Friendly School culture to become more than a temporary initiative and instead develop into an everyday habit. From canteens that reduce plastic bag use to turning waste into fertiliser and marketable products, these simple actions at school contribute to a shared effort to nurture an environmentally conscious generation and build a more sustainable future.

The post From Waste Sorting to Lasting Benefits: Schools in Batang Toru and Muara Batang Toru Build a Culture of Environmental Care appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

The inauguration of the management board of the Indonesian Generasi Berencana Forum (FGI) in South Tapanuli Regency and the training of school counsellors took place at Balai Marguna, Batang Toru District, on 19 October 2026. The event involved the South Tapanuli Regency Population Control and Family Planning Office (PP&KB) and the North Sumatra GenRe Forum. Twelve representatives of the management board took part in a symbolic oath-taking ceremony. Prior to the inauguration, the programme included school visits, monitoring and evaluation, and guidance for prospective board members by the North Sumatra GenRe Forum. Participants also attended a GenRe Level Up session to strengthen their capacity to implement the programme in their schools.

At the local level, the South Tapanuli GenRe Forum continues to encourage student participation through educational activities and initiatives developed by young people themselves. Teguh Almuhadi, a student at SMKN 2 Batang Toru who previously served as Head of the Communications Division, has been elected Chairperson of the South Tapanuli GenRe Forum for 2026. He noted that greater awareness of the forum is still needed, as not all students fully understand its benefits.

Through school visits, forum members seek to improve young people’s understanding of reproductive health, the prevention of early marriage, and the risks associated with harmful behaviours, including drug abuse. One of the initiatives being developed is the ‘Cool School Without Waste’ programme, which introduces students to waste management through ecobricks.

Nazwa Ramadani, a student at SMKN 2 Batang Toru who serves in the Human Resources Division of the South Tapanuli GenRe Forum, has also been involved in GenRe Goes to School activities. Over the past two years, she has gained valuable knowledge while helping to encourage other young people to plan for their future. The educational sessions cover the prevention of early marriage, risky sexual behaviour, and drug abuse.

Seven participants from the South Tapanuli GenRe Forum are currently taking part in the selection process for the North Sumatra Provincial GenRe programme. Their participation is part of ongoing efforts to develop young people’s capabilities, broaden their experience, and strengthen their ability to contribute to the implementation of GenRe programmes on a wider scale.

Rohani Simbolon, Community Development Manager at Agincourt Resources, explained that strengthening the GenRe Forum forms part of the Community Development and Empowerment Programme (PPM), which prepares young people for the future through initiatives covering healthy lifestyles, education, careers, and planning for marriage at an appropriate age. She emphasised that youth involvement is essential to ensuring that programmes address their needs while giving them opportunities to share ideas, design activities, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation. “For us, youth involvement is not just about being participants or beneficiaries; it is also about giving young people the space to share ideas and help shape programmes that are relevant to the community,” she said.

The commitment to meaningful youth participation has also received national recognition. The collaboration between the North Sumatra GenRe Forum and Agincourt Resources won first place in the Meaningful Youth Participation (MYP) category at Adujaknas GenRe Indonesia 2026. The award recognises young people’s involvement in programme design, needs assessment, monitoring, and evaluation.

Agincourt Resources supports the sustainability of the GenRe Forum by providing funding and transport assistance to facilitate its activities. Ahmad Ibrahim Lubis, Head of the South Tapanuli Regency Population Control and Family Planning Office (PP&KB), welcomed the collaboration and expressed hope that GenRe outreach would reach more schools through the involvement of local government, educators, and youth counsellors.

The post 91 Youth Counsellors to Drive Education and Future Planning in South Tapanuli appeared first on Agincourt Resources.