Ferona's Story: From Studying Under a Leaky Roof to a Proper School
Ferona Keren Balol, a student at SMA Negeri 3 Kalabahi in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), expressed her thanks to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemdikdasmen) for the school revitalisation programme. She conveyed this during the inauguration event in Kupang on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
“Regarding the letter I read earlier, it contains words of thanks to the President and the Minister, because the revitalisation programme has taken place at our school,” said Ferona.
She recounted the previously dire condition of her school. Students had to study in emergency buildings with hole-ridden roofs and dirt floors.
“Because our school was previously an emergency structure. The corrugated iron was full of holes, thin plywood. And the entire school had dirt floors, which we had to use in those room conditions for learning,” she recounted.
After revitalisation, the learning atmosphere has become safe and comfortable.
“But when our school received the revitalisation, we were very happy and delighted because now we learn comfortably,” she stated.
Ferona came from Alor with the school principal because they were directly invited by Minister of Education Abdul Mu’ti.
“We came here by plane. We travelled far from Alor because we were directly invited by the Minister to come here,” she said.
The principal of SMA Negeri 3 Kalabahi, Lety Andiani Waang, described the revitalisation as the best solution after nine years without assistance.
“Revitalisation is the best answer for us. At the school, because nine years is quite a long time, we never received any support at all,” she explained.
The school received a budget of more than Rp 1.74 billion for constructing three buildings.
“SMAN 3 Kalabahi received a budget of more than Rp 1.74 billion for three buildings: two new classrooms with desks and chairs, one computer lab, and one toilet with sanitation,” she clarified.
According to Lety, the construction was carried out through self-management involving the local community.
“The pure self-management system allowed the school to involve the surrounding community and church. To be honest, we involved the community and the nearby church. As a result, the local economy circulated well, and the children are very happy,” she elaborated.
Previously, many students transferred out due to inadequate facilities.
“We had more than 100 students, but because of the school’s condition, the children transferred, not because of the teachers but because the learning environment was uncomfortable. But praise the Lord, our prayers were answered through the revitalisation programme,” she explained.
576 Schools Revitalised in NTT
At the event, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti inaugurated the revitalisation of hundreds of schools in NTT at SMA Negeri 9 Kupang.
“This afternoon, we are attending the inauguration of school revitalisations that received support in 2025 and some schools that will receive revitalisation assistance in 2026,” said Abdul Mu’ti.
A total of 576 educational units received 2025 assistance with a budget of Rp 589 billion.
“The breakdown is 43 PAUD schools, 234 primary schools, 174 junior secondary schools, 44 vocational schools, 9 special schools, and 8 skills schools/PKNP,” he detailed.
For 2026, NTT will receive another allocation of Rp 225 billion.
“The details are 299 schools already with PKS, and 175 schools to have PKS, for a total of 474 schools,” he stated.
NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena described the event as an educational gathering.
“We are gathered together for the inauguration of educational units’ revitalisation across Kupang Regency, Kupang City, and South Central Timor Regency, and also to greet all schools across NTT, where today they share stories after receiving revitalisation last year,” he said.
The programme is expected to improve the quality of facilities and learning in NTT.