Aceh schools damaged by floods to be rebuilt by 2026: Minister

Indonesia is undertaking a major school rehabilitation project in Sumatra following devastating floods and landslides in late November 2025. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, affirmed that the work will be completed by 2026, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring continued access to education for all children.

Damage and Response

The disasters, which impacted Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, resulted in 1,204 fatalities and displaced approximately 106,000 people, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) as of January 29th. A total of 171 educational units were affected, including 93 vocational high schools.

Did You Know? The government has allocated Rp2.4 trillion (approximately US$142.9 million) for the recovery of disaster-affected educational units across Sumatra.

Rebuilding Efforts

Minister Mu’ti stated that schools with severe damage will be demolished and rebuilt on their existing sites, utilizing revitalization funds. As of January 15, 2026, 99 school datasets have been verified and incorporated into revitalization agreements totaling Rp270 billion (around US$16 million). Efforts also extend to special needs schools and community learning centers.

Scope of Revitalization

The revitalization program isn’t limited to classroom repairs. It also encompasses the construction and improvement of essential facilities like toilets, libraries, and laboratories. Minister Mu’ti emphasized the goal of balancing infrastructure availability with student numbers, while simultaneously fostering a safe and supportive learning environment.

Expert Insight: Prioritizing the rebuilding of educational infrastructure following a disaster demonstrates a clear understanding of the long-term impact on communities and the importance of restoring normalcy for children. Focusing on supporting facilities alongside classrooms suggests a holistic approach to creating effective learning spaces.

Progress to Date

Beyond the 99 schools with revitalization agreements valued at Rp270 billion, 15 datasets for special needs schools have been verified, leading to 13 agreements worth Rp3.98 billion. Seven datasets for community learning centers have been verified, with two agreements currently being processed, totaling Rp198 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of educational units were affected by the disasters?

According to ministry records as of January 15, 2026, 171 educational units were affected, including 93 vocational high schools, approximately 20 special needs schools, and 58 community learning centers.

What is the timeline for completing the school rehabilitation?

Minister Abdul Mu’ti has ensured that the rehabilitation of schools damaged by floods and landslides in Aceh will be completed in 2026.

What is included in the school revitalization program?

The program includes not only repairing classrooms but also the construction and upgrading of supporting facilities such as toilets, libraries, and laboratories.

As the revitalization process continues, will the focus remain on rebuilding infrastructure to pre-disaster standards, or could there be opportunities to incorporate more resilient designs to mitigate future risks?