Prabowo orders schools affected by NTT earthquake to remain open

President Prabowo Subianto has asked the government to ensure that teaching and learning activities in schools affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) do not stop and that emergency schools are prepared immediately.

Prabowo delivered the directive during a coordination meeting on disaster response at the headquarters of Territorial Development Battalion (Yon TP) 834/Wakanga Mere, Tonggurambang Village, Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, NTT, on Wednesday.

“Schools must not stop, so add more tents,” Prabowo said at the meeting, which was attended by central government officials, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and regional government representatives.

Prabowo issued the instruction after receiving a report from Nagekeo Regent Simplisius Donatus that 80 percent of schools in the area could not function properly due to building damage caused by the earthquake on 15 August 2026.

“Eighty percent of our schools in Nagekeo cannot function properly. So, I ask for your assistance, Sir, to pay attention with the relevant ministries so that learning tents can be provided,” Simplisius said.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also prepared school tents, which are now in the process of being dispatched,” said Suharyanto.

After leading the meeting, Prabowo, together with central and regional government officials, inspected the condition of displaced residents in Nagekeo Regency.

“We have prepared repairs and temporary measures so that schools can reopen soon. We will implement them immediately, perhaps for safety reasons, schools may operate in tents first,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo stressed that the government will continue to support the community in dealing with the impact of the disaster until residents’ lives return to normal.

“Rest assured, the government will not abandon its own people. We are present and we will continue to help you,” Prabowo said.