Minister: Multi-stakeholder participation accelerates post-earthquake recovery in NTT
We are building collective strength to accelerate the recovery of education in Flores.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has said that multi-stakeholder participation is accelerating the recovery of education services following the earthquake in several areas of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti said in Jakarta on Monday that his ministry is collaborating with multiple parties to carry out various emergency response efforts to address the impact of the earthquake on Flores Island, particularly with regard to restoring education services.
The minister said the natural disaster serves as a reminder to all parties that the continuity of education services is a shared responsibility, and that universal participation is not merely a slogan but must be reflected in concrete action.
He cited examples of such support, including universities sending students to provide psychosocial assistance, humanitarian organisations helping to meet basic needs, and members of the public also getting involved.
Referring to data as of 23 August 2026, he said the number of affected educational units across seven regencies and 97 districts stood at 1,918.
He added that 665 schools were severely damaged, 6,927 classrooms suffered heavy damage, 141,207 pupils had their learning disrupted, and 48,164 members of the school community were displaced. As a result, the number of emergency classrooms requested by 785 schools totalled 2,908 units.
“As of Sunday (30/8), 89 tents have been erected to meet the emergency classroom needs, nine tents are in the process of being delivered to schools from the East Manggarai Education Logistics Post, and two tents are in the process of being dispatched from the Labuan Bajo Logistics Post,” the minister said.
In addition to tents, the ministry is involving university students to provide assistance and psychosocial services to victims during the learning transition period. This is in line with the ministry’s efforts to restore learning that was forced to stop at 1,221 schools.
During the learning transition period over the next two weeks to three months, the ministry will also carry out sanitation improvements and conduct technical damage assessments by building expert teams.
According to data compiled by the National Secretariat for Disaster-Safe Education Units, the damage is not limited to classrooms but also extends to 418 laboratories, 1,928 toilets and 370 teachers’ housing units.
“We appreciate all parties who have stepped forward and worked together to help restore education in Flores,” said Minister Abdul Mu’ti.