School principals in Sidoarjo experience tangible changes following revitalisation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has received various positive testimonials from school principals who have experienced significant impacts from the Revitalisation Programme for Educational Units in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java Province.
The principal of SDN Sidoklumpuk Sidoarjo, Septi, stated in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday that her school received assistance in the form of two new classrooms, rehabilitation of three classrooms, one laboratory room, and one toilet package.
She also revealed that before the revitalisation, the condition of the classrooms was very concerning, with collapsed roofs and furniture such as chairs damaged by termites.
“The classrooms we received for rehabilitation are three rooms because at that time these classrooms were truly inadequate. Many roofs had collapsed, and the chairs had been eaten by termites. We have 692 students, but only 10 toilets. This was insufficient for our children, so Alhamdulillah, after the revitalisation, we received a toilet package with five cubicles, including one for the disabled,” she said.
According to her, the programme has had an impact felt directly by the entire school community.
“Alhamdulillah, everyone is happy to welcome it because it has been long awaited for our school. For us, this programme is not just about physical construction, but a real manifestation of the state’s presence in providing decent, safe, and quality education services for all our students. Thank you, President Prabowo and Minister, hopefully this revitalisation continues to improve the quality of education in general, especially in Sidoarjo Regency,” said Septi.
On a different occasion, the principal of SDN Barengkrajan 1 Sidoarjo, Ismiyanto, stated that the assistance of new classrooms has had a tangible impact in addressing the limitations of learning facilities that the school has faced so far.
He explained that the addition of classrooms not only improves comfort but also allows for more optimal learning time arrangements for students.
“Our school received four new classrooms. Our actual need is 17 classes, but previously we only had 7 classes. With the addition of these classrooms, the learning process has become more comfortable, and students can now attend school in the morning, which previously had to be in the afternoon due to lack of classes. We are very grateful and thank the Ministry for this new classroom assistance, because our children can now learn more comfortably,” said Ismiyanto.
He explained that the infrastructure improvements have made the school environment now safer and more suitable for use.
“We received revitalisation in the form of four classrooms, one additional classroom, and a new UKS. Before revitalisation, our school was in an area prone to flooding, with the distance between the yard and the classroom only about 5 cm. But after revitalisation, Alhamdulillah, during heavy rain, it no longer floods,” said Nurhidayat.
He added that these changes have impacted increased comfort and students’ learning enthusiasm, while also fostering public trust in the school.
“The children can now learn decently, safely, and comfortably, and are more enthusiastic. Our school in the outskirts area is now safer, and students and teachers are happier to come to school. Parents are also very grateful for the current school conditions compared to before the revitalisation. We also hope that other educational units that are still inadequate can soon receive revitalisation, given the benefits are very noticeable, especially for our school, thank you very much,” he said.