Schools in Pidie Jaya Still Buried in Mud, Students Learn in Emergency Facilities
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti stated that several schools in Pidie Jaya Regency, Aceh, must continue conducting teaching and learning activities in emergency classrooms following the devastating flash floods of late November 2025.
The government is accelerating the construction and revitalisation of schools to restore normal learning processes. Mu’ti noted that the government had previously revitalised 30 schools in Pidie Jaya during 2025 with a total budget of 19.5 billion rupiah. The rehabilitated schools span various education levels.
“For Pidie Jaya there are 30 schools that received the revitalisation programme in 2025 valued at 19.5 billion rupiah, consisting of 3 early childhood education facilities, 16 primary schools, 4 junior secondary schools, 5 senior secondary schools, and 2 vocational schools,” said Mu’ti during a visit to Senior Secondary School 2 Meureudu Pidie Jaya on Monday, 9 March.
According to CNN Indonesia’s observations, at SMA 2 Meureudu all classrooms at the school were damaged and buried in mud as high as the school roof. The school has struggled to clean the remaining mud from the classrooms.
Meanwhile, students continue to study in six emergency classrooms constructed by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. Students at the school have requested that fans be provided because the emergency classrooms are extremely hot.
Mu’ti claimed that all revitalisation projects financed in 2025 have now been completed and some have already begun to be utilised. “The 2025 projects are all finished, which is why we visited and they are complete,” he said.
Nevertheless, several schools remain under construction, meaning students must continue to study in emergency or temporary facilities. The government is therefore continuing the school revitalisation programme in 2026. Mu’ti stated that 22 schools in Pidie Jaya are included in this year’s construction plan. “The 2026 projects are currently in progress. There are 22 schools for Pidie Jaya Regency, the value is still being calculated,” he explained.
However, some construction has already begun and is targeted for phased completion. Specifically for primary schools, the government is targeting construction completion before the new academic year begins. “For primary schools the target is that they will be completed by the new academic year so they can be used immediately. Meanwhile, for secondary schools it is likely they will only be usable next year,” said Abdul Mu’ti.