Govt Restores Classes at All Disaster-Affected Schools in Sumatra

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry announced that all schools affected by recent disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have fully resumed learning activities, marking a major milestone in the education sector's recovery.

In a press release published on February 13, 2026, the ministry said learning recovery had reached 100 percent, although some schools continue to operate from temporary facilities.

“Total learning activities have reached 100 percent. As of January 26, 129 schools were conducting classes in tents or temporary classrooms, but that number has now dropped to 99 as cleanup efforts have been completed. Likewise, the number of schools sharing facilities declined from 27 to 22,” Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti said, as quoted on the Ministry's official website.

The ministry has also accelerated infrastructure rehabilitation through its Education Unit Revitalization Program. As of February 10, 2026, a total of 654 affected schools across the three provinces had been included in the program as part of broader recovery efforts.

Minister Mu’ti made the remarks during a coordination meeting on disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction at the Home Ministry in Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He said the acceleration measures would continue in the coming weeks.

“This acceleration effort will continue until the third week of February 2026. The ministry plans to proceed with cooperation agreements for the revitalization of affected schools, targeting a total of 1,153 schools in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra,” he said.

From the fourth week of January to the first week of February 2026, the ministry signed revitalization agreements for 654 schools, with a total budget allocation of IDR 786.5 billion (US$50.7 million). Of those, 214 schools have received IDR 168.6 billion in disbursed funds, while the remaining funds are scheduled for phased disbursement between February 12 and February 18.

Minister Mu’ti emphasized that rebuilding educational infrastructure in disaster-affected areas remains a government priority.

“Funds for revitalization in the three disaster-affected provinces have been allocated from the 2026 education revitalization priority budget,” he said.

The ministry recorded a total of 4,863 schools affected by disasters across the three provinces, including 3,409 with minor damage, 925 with moderate damage, 437 with severe damage and 92 schools that required relocation.

“The damage assessment was based on essential facilities such as classrooms, libraries, administrative offices and principals’ offices,” Minister Mu’ti said.

Home Minister Tito Karnavian, who also chairs the disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction task force for Sumatra, said the ministry had accurately identified damage levels and implemented a clear recovery timeline.

“The minister already understands which schools suffered severe, moderate and minor damage. Assistance has been provided through the task force, including cleanup operations involving the military and police, followed by reconstruction. The ministry has a clear timeline for what needs to be done,” Minister Tito said.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry added that it would continue coordinating with regional administrations and relevant agencies to complete reconstruction and revitalization, ensuring safe and uninterrupted access to education for students in disaster-affected areas. ***