Education Ministry accelerates post-disaster school reconstruction in Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is accelerating the rehabilitation and reconstruction of educational services for schools affected by hydrometeorological disasters in Sumatra. Minister Abdul Mu’ti emphasised that fulfilling students’ right to education is the top priority at every stage of disaster response, prompting ongoing efforts in learning recovery, revitalisation and relocation of facilities, provision of emergency classrooms, and assistance for affected teachers and pupils. “No Indonesian child should lose their right to education due to a disaster. Therefore, we are ensuring that educational services continue while accelerating the restoration of facilities so that students can learn safely and comfortably,” Mu’ti stated in Jakarta on Thursday. Based on data as of 9 June 2026, a total of 4,922 educational institutions across various levels were impacted in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Despite this, all schools have resumed learning activities, achieving a 100 percent operational rate. Of the total affected schools, 4,828 have returned to their original premises, 52 are using emergency classrooms, 35 are still utilising tents, and 7 are temporarily hosted by other schools or public buildings. The ministry is targeting the complete elimination of tent-based learning by the start of the new academic year in July 2026. “Our current focus is ensuring all students can learn in more adequate spaces. Therefore, we are continuing to provide emergency classrooms and accelerate revitalisation so that no schools are learning in tents by the new academic year,” Mu’ti said. He added that out of the 4,922 affected schools, 3,283 have received revitalisation assistance, while 1,639 still require educational resource support. To date, 3,119 schools have signed Cooperation Agreements (PKS) with a total value of Rp3.001 trillion. The first phase of funding, amounting to Rp2.050 trillion, has been disbursed to 3,034 schools, while 86 schools are still in the disbursement process for a total of Rp41.7 billion. The ministry is also accelerating the construction of 310 emergency classroom units across 88 educational institutions. Mu’ti noted that 171 units have been completed and are in use, 40 are under construction, and the remainder are in the planning stage. Furthermore, 97 schools must be relocated as they are situated in areas no longer safe for teaching and learning activities.