Six Classrooms at SMAN 1 Gunungsari Sealed Over Collapse Risk

The Public Works, Spatial Planning, and Settlement Areas Agency (PUPRKP) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has sealed six classrooms at SMAN 1 Gunungsari, West Lombok Regency. The sealing was carried out because the building’s condition was deemed no longer fit for use and at risk of collapse, endangering the safety of students and teachers.

Head of the NTB PUPRKP Agency, Lalu Kusuma Wijaya, said the measure was a mitigation effort to prevent a repeat of school building collapse incidents, such as those that previously occurred at SMAN 7 Mataram and SMAN 1 Lingsar, West Lombok, some time ago.

“We are taking early protection to anticipate, so it is not used and suddenly collapses. Then it injures and causes casualties,” Wijaya said in Central Lombok on Monday (27/7/2026).

Although several rooms have been sealed, Wijaya confirmed that Teaching and Learning Activities (KBM) for SMAN 1 Gunungsari students are continuing. The NTB government has prepared emergency tents and is utilising other rooms deemed safe for the time being.

“Yes, they can use tents, or use whatever rooms are available temporarily. It is a matter of concern,” he said.

Wijaya revealed that the finding of six unfit classrooms at SMAN 1 Gunungsari was the result of a field inspection by the team. On average, school buildings that are two decades old are beginning to show signs of structural damage, making them dangerous to use.

“I do not recommend using them, in case they collapse. We were shocked when there were no casualties, let alone if there were,” he stressed.

Wijaya said that due to limited personnel to inspect all schools in NTB one by one, the PUPRKP Agency is asking schools with old buildings to conduct independent visual assessments.

“We ask them to check the physical condition of old buildings, especially if there are signs of deflection or cracks. If potential danger is found, the school is obliged to report to the PUPRKP Agency,” he said.

After a report is made, Wijaya stated, the PUPRKP Agency’s assessment team will be deployed to the location to verify the physical soundness of the building after receiving the initial report.

“So we try to assess it first. We ask the schools to conduct their own assessment, to look visually themselves. If there are incidents of deflection, or things like that, well, perhaps that needs to be watched out for,” he concluded.