99 Schools Still Using Tents and Emergency Classrooms After Sumatran Disasters

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the learning process in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra has resumed at 100 per cent. However, he acknowledged that teaching and learning activities have not yet returned to ideal conditions following floods and landslides.

“We can report that in general, learning activities in the three disaster-affected provinces have resumed at 100 per cent, though conditions are not yet ideal,” Abdul Mu’ti said during a meeting with House of Representatives leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/2/2026).

“Some are still studying in tents or emergency classrooms, and some are sharing facilities at other schools,” he added.

Mu’ti explained that schools which have returned to their original premises number 3,001 in Aceh, 626 in West Sumatra, and 1,104 in North Sumatra. Meanwhile, others continue to operate from emergency tents.

“Those still studying in tents or emergency classrooms number 52 in Aceh, 21 in West Sumatra, and 26 in North Sumatra,” he said.

Schools still sharing premises with other schools include 20 in Aceh and 2 in West Sumatra.

“The overall totals are 3,073 in Aceh, 649 in West Sumatra, and 1,180 in North Sumatra,” he said.

“We can report that those studying in tents or emergency classrooms now stand at 99. Some have already returned to their original schools as the clean-up process has been completed. The remainder are schools whose classrooms can no longer be used,” he continued.

Abdul Mu’ti acknowledged that the learning process is not yet fully ideal. Some schools, he said, are still operating morning and afternoon shifts, and desks and chairs have not been fully provided.

“Some are still studying on the floor. We are also using an emergency curriculum. We apologise that for Central Tapanuli we are still coordinating with the local education office, so there is no latest update yet,” he said.

He further explained that in Aceh, 3,073 schools were affected. From verification and validation of 2,516 schools, 35.15 per cent or 885 sustained minor damage, 54.88 per cent or 1,382 sustained moderate damage, 7.47 per cent or 188 sustained severe damage, and 2.50 per cent or 63 require relocation.

In West Sumatra, 649 schools were affected, with 500 having been verified. The breakdown shows 217 or 43.44 per cent with minor damage, 255 or 51 per cent with moderate damage, 13 or 2.60 per cent with severe damage, and 15 or 3 per cent requiring relocation.

In North Sumatra, 1,130 schools were affected and 1,087 have been verified. Some 594 or 54.65 per cent sustained minor damage, 524 or 39.01 per cent sustained moderate damage, 84 or 5.89 per cent sustained severe damage, and 5 or 0.46 per cent require relocation.