Govt Completes Revitalization of 349 Schools in West Sumatra

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has completed the comprehensive revitalization of 349 schools across West Sumatra. This large-scale infrastructure overhaul is bolstered by the deployment of over 7,000 Interactive Flat Panels (IFP) to modernize classrooms.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti confirmed that total investment for these upgrades exceeded IDR 306 billion (USD 17.81 million). The funds were used to improve 349 educational units, with details of 31 Early Childhood Education centers, 135 Elementary Schools, 93 Junior High Schools, 43 Senior High Schools, 16 Vocational High Schools, 21 Special Schools, 10 Special Needs Schools.

The initiative serves as a cornerstone of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, which prioritizes the development of superior human resources through equitable access to high-quality facilities.

“The Educational Unit Revitalization Program is an effort by the Ministry to support President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita in forming superior human resources. This step serves as concrete evidence of the government's commitment to realizing quality education for all Indonesians,” said the Minister in a written release on Friday, April 17, 2026.

To realize quality education for all, he outlined concrete steps by the Ministry in West Sumatra. These steps include the distribution of 7,047 IFP units to 1,110 Early Childhood Education centers, 4,236 Elementary Schools, 867 Junior High Schools, 350 Senior High Schools, 164 Vocational High Schools, 187 Special Needs Schools, and 133 Learning Activity Centers.

Beyond physical structures, the government is intensifying its focus on the 13-Year Compulsory Education program, emphasizing that character building must begin at the earliest possible stage. To support this, the Ministry is expanding the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) to include kindergarten students, providing IDR 450,000 (USD 26.19) per child annually starting in 2026.

The Minister explained that this focus on early education is grounded in psychological research identifying these years as the foundation for all future academic success.

“We want to ensure every educational unit in West Sumatra has the same opportunity to provide good educational services. This way, children can grow and have a positive impact on society,” he added, as quoted by Antara.

Local leadership has met the upgrades with high praise, viewing the investment as a catalyst for regional growth. Lima Puluh Kota Regent, Safni Sikumbang, urged citizens to take personal responsibility for the upkeep of these new facilities to ensure long-term benefits for the next generation.

Expressing deep gratitude for the central government's intervention, the Regent noted that the program is a tangible manifestation of expanding quality access to remote areas. The revitalization is expected to create a more optimal learning environment, allowing both teachers and students to thrive in facilities that finally meet modern national standards. ***

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