Jakarta – The recovery of the education sector in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra has shown significant progress. The government has confirmed that teaching and learning activities in affected regions of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have now fully resumed, although repairs to educational facilities and infrastructure are still ongoing.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Atip Latipulhayat, stated that all schools impacted by the disasters in the three provinces have returned to normal learning activities. He made the statement during an inter-ministerial meeting on disaster response in the Sumatra region.
“Praise be to God, as of now the learning process in the three provinces has been implemented 100 percent,” Atip said.
Overall, a total of 4,859 schools were affected by the disasters. The main remaining challenge is the repair of damaged physical educational facilities.
“What remains and must be carried out immediately is the repair of physical infrastructure,” Atip added.
In Aceh, 2,966 schools have resumed learning in their original buildings as they sustained only minor damage. However, 82 schools are still conducting teaching and learning activities in tents and temporary classrooms. The government is targeting the completion of these repairs by February 2026. In addition, 25 schools in Aceh are operating under a shared or temporary arrangement due to severe damage and require relocation to safer locations with support from local governments and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Funding for relocation and physical revitalization is planned under the 2026 budget.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, 21 schools are still learning in tents and two schools are operating under temporary arrangements. In North Sumatra, no schools are recorded as operating under such conditions.
Amid post-disaster limitations, the spirit of education remains strong. The presence of education volunteers from Sekolah Sukma Bangsa (SSB), together with the Fisipol UGM Mengajar team, has strengthened the recovery process. Learning activities conducted in emergency tents and evacuation sites have become symbols of the resilience of the education sector.
Volunteer Coordinator Victor Yasadana, also known as Tongky, said that learning assistance continues at various affected locations. Currently, volunteers are actively teaching in emergency schools such as SD Negeri 10 Ketol in Serempah, SMP Negeri 9 Bintang, and SMP Negeri 22 Lut Tawar in Takengon. Around 60 new volunteers are also scheduled to undergo intensive training at SSB Pidie on January 28–30, 2026, before being deployed to affected areas.
From a regional recovery perspective, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian noted that several areas in West Sumatra and North Sumatra have returned to normal conditions. However, some regions in Aceh, such as Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, and Central Aceh, still require special attention.
Acting Head of the Aceh Education Office, Murthalamuddin, emphasized that learning activities must continue even under emergency conditions. He also expressed appreciation for the collaboration of volunteers and local communities.
“This collaboration greatly eases the burden and is a strong reason why Aceh’s education sector has been able to recover more quickly from the emergency phase,” he said.
Through the synergy of government, volunteers, and the community, the recovery of education in Sumatra stands as proof that disasters do not extinguish hope, and that the future of children continues to be fought for.