School Revitalisation Helps Students and Teachers Recover After Aceh Disaster

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has stated that the revitalisation and rehabilitation of educational units, in collaboration with the Aceh Provincial Government and the Indonesian Army, has revived the spirits of students and teachers following a hydrometeorological disaster in the province. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti emphasised that construction is being accelerated so that Aceh’s children can promptly return to learning in proper classrooms. “We are targeting that by the 2026/2027 new academic year, most schools will have been rebuilt. For schools whose locations are still usable, most have already been rebuilt, and some have even been completed,” said Minister Mu’ti in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Aceh Education Agency Head Murthalamuddin stressed that the use of emergency classrooms does not mean these schools are not being addressed. The results of the revitalisation are now visible at SMKN 3 Sigli, where a Student Practice Room (RPS) has transformed the students’ learning experience. The school received revitalisation assistance of Rp2.6 billion in 2025 and will receive a further Rp1.6 billion in 2026. “We are very grateful for this revitalisation programme. The facilities and infrastructure built greatly support the learning process, making students more comfortable studying,” said SMKN 3 Sigli Principal Iskandar. He noted that in Aceh, the Fishing Vessel Engineering (TKPI) major is only available at three schools: SMKN 3 Sigli in Pidie Regency, SMK Negeri 1 Jeunieb in Bireun Regency, and SMKN 4 Langsa in Langsa City. According to Iskandar, the presence of the RPS is the most beneficial facility, particularly for the TKPI Department, which prepares students to become professionals in fishing vessel machinery and fisheries technology. Fairuz, a student at SMKN 3 Sigli, said the new building has made her and other students more comfortable learning, as they no longer inhale dust and the rooms are more spacious. Positive changes have also been directly felt by Cut Indah Sari, another student at SMKN 3 Sigli. “The construction of this building gives us greater hope and opportunities for the future. With better facilities, we are more enthusiastic about learning and improving our skills,” she said. For the children of Aceh, the school revitalisation has become a symbol of rekindled hope that after a disaster passes, the future can still be built from classrooms that stand strong once again.