West Sumatra: Students learn in emergency tents after wall collapse

Tanah Datar, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - Elementary school students at SDN 11 Bungo Tanjuang in Batipuah, Tanah Datar District, West Sumatra, have continued attending classes enthusiastically in emergency tents provided by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

“Studying in an emergency tent is still fun and exciting,” said Flodia, a fourth-grade student, on Friday.

Students have been using the tents since early January 2026 after parts of the school’s boundary wall were deemed at risk of collapse. Police installed safety lines to prevent students and teachers from accessing the left and right sides of the schoolyard.

Despite the hot midday weather, Flodia said she remained motivated to learn, citing strong support from her teachers. She expressed hope that the government would promptly repair the damaged walls, as several classrooms can no longer be used. She added that the school’s ablution facilities also collapsed during heavy rains in late November 2025.

“We have been studying in tents for two months, but we are still enthusiastic,” she said.

Teacher Herna Permata Sari said six classrooms are currently at risk of collapsing, forcing learning activities to be conducted in emergency tents. She explained that two classes attend lessons alternately each day, with adjusted learning hours.

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“Classes start at 7 a.m. and run until 10 a.m., after which lessons continue in vacant classrooms,” she said.

Sari urged the government to take swift action to ensure safer learning conditions, warning that further delays could worsen the situation.

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“By midday, the sun becomes very intense and the children feel overheated,” she added.

Police have installed safety lines around the school area on two occasions following successive wall collapses. The most recent incident occurred on the right side of the school, causing cracks in several buildings.