Minister opens emergency classrooms, delivers school aid in Aceh

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti inaugurated six emergency classrooms and distributed school supplies to students in Pidie Jaya District, Aceh, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring education services following floods and landslides that struck parts of Sumatra.

He reassured the public of ongoing recovery efforts during a visit to Public Senior High School (SMAN) 2 Mereudeu on Monday, March 9, where he also spoke with students to help rebuild their confidence, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

“I came here to inaugurate six emergency classrooms and deliver books and other school supplies. This initiative reflects our concrete efforts to accelerate reconstruction following the disasters in Sumatra,” Mu’ti said.

The school supplies were valued at Rp25 million, or around US$1,500.

He explained that the emergency classrooms were built as temporary learning spaces while the damaged school buildings await reconstruction.

“We remain committed to supporting the swift reconstruction of school buildings. Once the new buildings are completed, the emergency classrooms can be converted into canteens or other learning facilities,” the minister said.

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SMAN 2 Mereudeu principal Muhammadiah confirmed that the school was among those hardest hit by the disasters that occurred in late November 2025.

“During this holy month of Ramadan, we would like to express our gratitude for the six emergency classrooms. We are deeply encouraged by Minister Mu’ti’s visit, which has motivated us to recover and improve moving forward,” Muhammadiah said.

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The principal added that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education plans to restore the school through a complete demolition and reconstruction process, in collaboration with the Indonesian Army.

Overall, the ministry has allocated Rp1.741 trillion, or more than US$100 million, to support the recovery of 1,642 schools affected by the disasters as of March 6. In Pidie Jaya District, 21 emergency classrooms have been set up at five schools.