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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Recovery of 4,992 Flood-Affected Schools in Sumatra to Be Accelerated, Bireuen Targets Completion in July

From Tempo · (42m ago) Indonesian Positive tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Indonesian government is accelerating the recovery of 4,922 schools damaged by hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
  • The goal is to normalize teaching and learning activities by the new academic year in July 2026, with Aceh experiencing the most extensive damage.
  • Rehabilitation efforts include government funding, collaboration with the military for severely damaged schools, and community involvement in cleanup and repair.

The Indonesian government is making a concerted effort to restore educational facilities impacted by recent severe weather events across Sumatra. This initiative underscores the nation's commitment to ensuring that students can return to normal learning environments as swiftly as possible, particularly with the upcoming academic year in July 2026.

Hingga saat ini semua sekolah terdampak sudah tertangani pembersihannya dan sekarang masuk tahap rehabilitasi. Progresnya rata-rata sudah 20 persen.

โ€” Abdul HamidHead of the Bireuen Education Service Branch, describing the progress of school rehabilitation efforts.

The scale of the damage is significant, with over 4,900 educational facilities affected across three provinces. Aceh, in particular, has borne the brunt of the disaster, with thousands of its schools requiring extensive repair or even relocation. The government's response involves a multi-pronged approach, including direct funding for revitalization and strategic partnerships, such as engaging the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) for the most critical reconstruction tasks.

Targetnya Juli nanti semua fasilitas pendidikan sudah kembali normal digunakan.

โ€” Abdul HamidHead of the Bireuen Education Service Branch, stating the timeline for full school recovery.

In Bireuen Regency, Aceh, local education officials are working diligently to repair the damage. Despite the challenges, including some schools being submerged up to their roofs, the process is underway, with an estimated 20% progress. Teachers and students have shown remarkable resilience, participating in cleanup efforts and adapting to temporary learning arrangements, such as borrowing furniture from unaffected schools. This community spirit and dedication are vital in overcoming the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Saat itu guru dan siswa bergotong royong membersihkan lumpur yang sempat menutupi lingkungan sekolah.

โ€” HasballahPrincipal of SMAN 2 Peusangan, recalling the post-flood cleanup efforts involving students and teachers.

The funding for these repairs, sourced from the central government, ranges from Rp 1 billion to Rp 4 billion per school, reflecting the varying degrees of damage. The target is to have all facilities fully operational by July, coinciding with the start of the new school year. This ambitious timeline highlights the urgency and importance placed on resuming education without further disruption. The story of SMAN 2 Peusangan, where students and teachers worked together to clear mud and prepare for classes, exemplifies the strong sense of community and determination present in the affected regions. This resilience is a hallmark of Indonesian spirit in the face of adversity.

Alhamdulillah, sesuai target Kemendikdasmen akhirnya tanggal 5 Januari siap digelar PBM.

โ€” HasballahPrincipal of SMAN 2 Peusangan, confirming the resumption of classes after cleanup efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.