Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 01:35 PM UTC

Sumatra schools turn disaster recovery into hope for the future

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Hana Dewi, Tegar Nurfitra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia watched thousands of lives grind to an abrupt halt in late November 2025 as devastating floods and landslides swept across the Sumatran provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The disasters damaged countless homes, disrupted transportation networks, and left schools among the hardest-hit facilities. Floodwaters receded, but heartbreaking scenes remained: classrooms strewn with debris, desks and chairs submerged in muddy water, books ruined beyond use, and learning materials rendered worthless.

A total of 4,922 schools across the three provinces were affected by floodwaters and mud. Some buildings were swept away entirely, while others suffered collapsed roofs or were blanketed by thick layers of sediment.

At Alue Lhok Public Elementary School in West Aceh, the damage forced a painful adjustment. Around 50 students had no choice but to continue their education in makeshift classrooms built from tents, turning temporary shelters into places of learning as the community struggled to recover.

Relying on tarpaulins for walls, floors, and roofs, teachers and students began taking their first steps toward recovery. Amid the temporary shelters, they sought to reclaim not only their learning spaces but also the sense of safety and routine that fine classrooms once provided.

Determined not to let the gloom linger, the central government moved swiftly to restore normalcy, launching a massive school revitalization program aimed at helping disaster-stricken communities get back on their feet.

Signs of recovery are now increasingly visible. Across the affected regions, many schools have begun rebuilding, while others have already completed restoration work. The bleak scenes that followed the disaster are gradually fading into memory, replaced by renewed optimism and the sounds of students returning to class.

Among the many young lives touched by the recovery efforts was Khayla Syakira, a junior high school student from Pidie, Aceh.

“After the renovation, our learning space is much better,” she said. “We also have a prayer room, where we can perform the Dhuhr prayer in congregation every day.”

Rebuilding better

Having shouldered the responsibility of keeping learning alive in the wake of the disaster, teachers across the three provinces viewed the revitalization program as far more than a construction project.

Iskandar, principal of a public vocational high school in Sigli, Aceh, said the government's initiative had helped restore comfort to the learning environment after months of disruption and hardship.

“We are deeply grateful for the revitalization program. The facilities and infrastructure built provide huge support for learning activities; they offer students greater comfort,” he said.

Following the revitalization, the school is now equipped with vocational training rooms designed to better prepare students for real workplace environments.

“The building development has filled us with hope and greater opportunities for the future. With better facilities, we are now more motivated to learn and hone our skills,” said Cut Indah, one of the students.

As it approaches its second anniversary in October 2026, the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has placed increasing emphasis on expanding access to education and improving its quality.

In 2025 alone, the government revitalized 16,167 schools nationwide, giving new life to aging and damaged facilities through a budget allocation of nearly Rp17 trillion, equivalent to some US$950 million.

The program has continued into 2026, with priority given to disaster-affected schools as well as educational facilities in remote and underserved areas.

Recovery takes shape

Spearheading post-disaster school recovery in Sumatra is the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which has worked to minimize disruptions to learning and help students return to the classroom as quickly as possible.

Director General of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Non-Formal Education Gogot Suharwoto said the ministry set up emergency classrooms, distributed school supplies, extended operational assistance, provided psychosocial support, and trained educators throughout the emergency response period.

According to him, the government had rebuilt or revitalized 3,132 schools affected by the Sumatra disaster by September 2026, backed by a budget of Rp3.03 trillion (US$168 million).

“Our ministry has rebuilt or relocated schools that were totally destroyed, distributed personal assistance to students through the Smart Indonesia Program, and strengthened the implementation of the Disaster-Resilient School program,” he told ANTARA in early October.

The recovery drive also included nearly Rp700 billion in material assistance. Some 470,000 support packages were distributed, providing schools with everything from furniture and learning kits to indoor educational play equipment, laboratory facilities, sports gear, and emergency classrooms.

On the personal front, the Smart Indonesia Program was expanded to reach around 1.57 million students across 53 affected districts and cities, helping them meet educational expenses and continue their studies in the wake of the disaster.

The ministry also adopted a cautious approach toward schools damaged beyond repair, placing greater emphasis on reducing vulnerability to future disasters.

A total of 97 schools were proposed for relocation to safer locations. Of these, 34 are under construction, while the remaining 63 are awaiting the completion of administrative and land-related processes.

Suharwoto noted that ongoing recovery efforts had enabled all 4,922 schools affected by the disaster across the three provinces to resume operations by the end of September, with 4,821 schools returning to their original buildings, 99 operating from emergency classrooms, and two sharing facilities with others.

Meanwhile, the Disaster-Resilient School program is being intensified as part of broader disaster mitigation efforts. Its implementation includes disaster preparedness and response training for 90,000 teachers.

“It is vital that school communities build the knowledge and readiness needed to face future disasters,” he remarked.

In the end, the success of the recovery effort is not measured solely by the number of buildings rebuilt.

From emergency classrooms to restored school buildings, revitalization ultimately signifies more than physical reconstruction. It is about ensuring that children have safe learning spaces to return to and can continue their education, knowing that the path to their future and dreams does not end with a disaster.

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