SMPN 16 Medan Rises Again After Floods, Teachers and Pupils Learn Without Worry
MEDAN — The flood that once submerged UPT SMP Negeri 16 Medan to a depth of more than one metre is now a distant memory. After the revitalisation was completed in August 2026, teachers and pupils have resumed full learning activities without worrying about classrooms being inundated during heavy rain.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, directly inspected the condition of SMP Negeri 16 Medan, one of the educational units that received revitalisation assistance after being affected by floods in September 2025. “The revitalisation of schools affected by the floods was completed on time, in August. So all learning activities are now running at 100 percent, and there is no longer any need for online learning,” said Abdul Mu’ti in Medan, North Sumatra, on Monday (14/9/2026).
Abdul Mu’ti said that the recovery of educational units affected by disasters does not stop at building repairs. A safe and comfortable learning environment is an essential part of enabling teachers and pupils to carry out educational activities without fear.
Meanwhile, the head of UPT SMP Negeri 16 Medan, Taripar Rudi Sihaloho, explained that the revitalisation work began in April 2026 and all construction was completed in August 2026. “The revitalisation started in April 2026 and was completed in August 2026. Previously the school grounds were low-lying, so we raised and filled the land so that in future, if there is heavy rain, the school will not be flooded again,” he explained.
This was also experienced first-hand by a civics teacher at UPT SMP Negeri 16 Medan, Patar Saputra Sihombing. He said the floods in September 2025 were a very difficult experience for the school. Water levels reaching more than one metre damaged a number of facilities and school property. “When the flood first happened last September, the water was almost more than a metre high, so many things were affected. It happened to be a holiday that day, so many items were hit by the flood and only a few could be saved,” said Patar.
After the revitalisation, Patar said the most noticeable change for teachers was the sense of security when rain falls. Before the revitalisation, heavy rain often caused anxiety because the school was at risk of flooding again. “The impact on teaching is truly felt. Before we received the revitalisation, there was a sense of fear because whenever it rained our school would certainly flood. With this revitalisation, we feel very comfortable, and there is no more fear when it rains. We continue to carry out the learning process well,” he said.
Pupils of UPT SMPN 16 Medan Comfortable Learning Again
The change in the school’s condition was also felt directly by an eighth-grade pupil, Alifah Dzakiroh. She said the floods damaged classrooms and learning facilities, making the learning process uncomfortable and less focused. “Before the renovation and when the flood happened, our classroom was in a bad state and some desks were damaged, completely ruined. So when we studied, it was hard to focus and uncomfortable. After receiving the revitalisation from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we are more comfortable learning and more focused,” said Alifah.
In addition, Febbi Mariana Wati Zai, a ninth-grade pupil, said the revitalisation has made the learning atmosphere calmer and more comfortable. Before the construction was completed, pupils had to attend lessons in shifts in the morning and afternoon due to the limited number of usable rooms. “After the revitalisation, we are more comfortable learning and more focused. Before, the roofs still leaked, but now, after the revitalisation, our classrooms are more comfortable, cooler, and it is more pleasant to listen to the lessons explained by the teacher,” she said.
Febbi also expressed happiness that all pupils can now learn together at the same time. “Now the classrooms are more comfortable, cooler, and calmer. Previously our sessions were divided, with some classes in the morning and some in the afternoon. After the revitalisation, we all have our own rooms, can gather, attend in the morning, and meet our friends,” she said.
Support from the Medan City Government
On the same occasion, Mayor of Medan Rico Waas expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for its revitalisation support for SMP Negeri 16 Medan. “Thank you, Minister, for the support for SMP Negeri 16. We will certainly repair the school facilities and refill the furniture as well. Last year this school was among those quite badly affected by the floods, so many of the children’s desks were damaged,” he said. Rico said the Medan city government will continue its support in providing furniture so pupils can learn more comfortably.
The revitalisation of SMP Negeri 16 Medan is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that educational units affected by disasters can recover quickly and once again become safe, healthy and comfortable learning spaces that support the learning process.