‘Goodbye’ to Tent Classes, School Conditions to Normalise Soon, Recovery Funds for 2,372 Schools Disbursed at Rp 1.39 Trillion

Thousands of students learning under emergency tents will soon return to permanent classrooms. According to a report from the Task Force for Recovery and Rehabilitation Post-Sumatra Disaster (Satgas PRR) as of 26 April 2026, 2,372 schools have received the first phase of revitalisation funding.

This number accounts for approximately 82% of the 2,873 educational units that have signed Cooperation Agreements (PKS) for Educational Unit Revitalisation, with a total budget of Rp 2.81 trillion. The funds disbursed in this initial phase amount to Rp 1.39 trillion.

PKS serves as a crucial instrument in the recovery of educational facilities in Sumatra. Without this document, state funds cannot be released. Currently, 50 schools are still using emergency tents, 49 schools are utilising temporary classrooms, and 6 other schools are borrowing facilities from other educational institutions. With the completion of the administrative process, local governments can now focus on executing physical repairs.

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, stated that this programme is not merely renovation but an enhancement of quality. The new buildings are designed to be earthquake-resistant, including the addition of 7,047 Interactive Flat Panel (IFP) devices or digital whiteboards.

“The Educational Unit Revitalisation Programme is an effort by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to support President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita in forming superior Indonesian Human Resources (SDM), as well as tangible proof in realising Quality Education for All,” said Abdul Mu’ti during his visit to West Sumatra on 17 April.

Of the thousands of schools included in the revitalisation scheme, Aceh Province has the largest coverage, with 1,915 school units receiving aid worth Rp 1.94 trillion. North Sumatra ranks second with 636 school units and total aid of Rp 588 billion. West Sumatra records 322 schools with a value of Rp 278 billion, with average physical progress reaching around 70%.

There are two revitalisation methods. 2,606 schools use the self-managed scheme, directly involving school parties in construction supervision to meet standards, including disaster resilience. Meanwhile, 267 schools with severe damage or relocation needs are handled by the Indonesian Army (TNI AD).

Revitalisation results are already visible in the field. Among them are SD Negeri 12 Bintang in Central Aceh, SD Negeri 057239 Sekoci in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, and SMAN 6 Padang, which now feature new classrooms, laboratories, and more adequate health facilities (UKS).

This step by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is part of the Satgas PRR, which is aggressively pushing for the acceleration of basic services recovery. Head of Satgas PRR Tito Karnavian, during several visits to the three provinces, emphasised that education must continue.

“Recovery of the education sector is one of the top priorities, as it concerns the continuity of learning for the young generation,” said Tito at a coordination meeting on 27 January 2026, quoted from Antara.