RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Indonesian Army have signed agreements to accelerate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools severely damaged by disasters in Sumatra.

The Cooperation Agreement (PKS) and Technical Cooperation Agreement (PKST) were signed between the Directorate General of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and the Indonesian Army.

Deputy Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education, Fajar Riza Ul Haq, said the collaboration is intended to accelerate the revitalization of schools, many of which suffered heavy damage and require relocation.

“This collaboration aims to accelerate the school construction process in heavily damaged disaster-affected areas. It also includes the relocation of 267 schools,” Fajar said at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Jakarta, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

He explained that the initiative is part of the universal participation concept promoted by Minister Abdul Mu’ti, who is committed to building an education protection ecosystem by involving multiple stakeholders. Fajar added that cooperation with the Indonesian Army has been established previously through various education development programs.

“We hope that with this collaboration, the school construction and relocation process in thethree provinces will be completed soon. Our target is October,” he said.

Construction will follow a type two self-management mechanism, with implementation handed over to the Army while adhering to technical specifications set by the ministry.

Fajar noted that 97 schools are still using emergency classrooms, with children studying in tents in disaster-affected areas. Of the 4,922 schools in the region, most have resumed classes at their own facilities, while 22 are still using other schools. The first groundbreaking is scheduled for March 9 in Aceh, marking the official start of the reconstruction program.

Territorial Assistant to the Army Chief of Staff Rachmad Zulkarnaen said the next stage after the signing is the PKST, a technical contract forwarded to regional military commands (Kodam) in the three affected provinces. He added that the Army has already assisted in repairing several schools through a program initiated by the Army Chief of Staff.

“We hope that students will be able to return to proper classrooms in the new school year,” Rachmad said.

A total of 267 schools will be rehabilitated across three provinces: 189 in Aceh, 55 in North Sumatra, and 22 in West Sumatra. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)