Demak Regency, Central Java, September 28, 2026 – The condition of schools in disaster-prone areas was a focus of attention during a dialogue between the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen), Atip Latipulhayat, and teachers and principals in Demak Regency, Central Java, on Saturday (September 26). School revitalization is seen as crucial to ensuring students continue to have a safe and suitable place to learn, even when educational units are located in areas affected by flooding.
Demak Regency has received a revitalization program for 89 educational institutions by 2025 and has proposed 111 for the next phase. Several schools are located in areas prone to repeated flooding, necessitating structural reinforcement, including the concept of stilt schools in certain locations, to ensure learning activities are not interrupted during disasters.
"The first priority is to rebuild schools in disaster-stricken areas. Students must not lose their learning space and time due to disaster damage to facilities," he said.
In the dialogue, the Principal of Batursari 1 Elementary School, Suwono, expressed his hope that the local government would be involved in determining which schools would receive revitalization so that actual conditions on the ground would form the basis for the determination.
Responding to this, Deputy Minister Atip stated that schools with severe damage, especially those in disaster-affected areas, require attention in prioritization. He also emphasized the importance of joint oversight to ensure that revitalization implementation meets needs, job specifications, and applicable regulations.
Revitalization is also expected to go beyond building repairs. Schools need to return to functioning as safe and comfortable learning spaces so that students don't miss out on learning opportunities due to damaged facilities.
"What we are building is not just the building. What we have to ensure is that the children still have a place to study," said Atip.
In addition to the condition of educational facilities, dialogue participants also addressed the needs faced by educators. Istirokah, Head of the Mranggen Kindergarten (TKN Pembina), requested that the government address the needs of kindergarten teachers who have been teaching for more than 20 years but do not yet have a bachelor's degree, thus preventing them from participating in the PPG (School Teacher Training) and certification.
Responding to this, Deputy Minister Atip stated that the government is providing scholarships for teachers who meet D4/S1 qualifications. The proposal regarding non-formal early childhood education (PAUD) educators is currently under review, taking into account regulations and budget allocations.
The principal of SMP Negeri 2 Mranggen, Heri Sarwanto, raised another issue. He explained that schools are now facing increasingly diverse demands, while some families still view education solely in terms of the benefits of the aid they receive. He also questioned the approach to handling out-of-school children (ATS), especially those who are not yet willing to return to formal school.
Deputy Minister Atip responded that learning doesn't always have to take place through school. The government needs to expand its approach from schooling to learning , including through community development programs (PKBM). "The purpose of school is not solely to find work, but to develop us into intelligent individuals," he said.
In Demak Regency, preliminary data as of August 31 indicates that approximately 8,000 children are out of school. This figure is still being verified to ensure there are no duplicate entries and that each child is properly identified. The Demak Regency Government is implementing a cross-sectoral approach through the Integrated Movement to Find, Serve, and Integrate (Gardu Teladan) program, as well as support from Community Learning Centers (PKBM) and the Let's Go Back to School program.
Meanwhile, regarding the need for teachers, the Head of the Demak Regency Education and Culture Office, Haris Wahyudi Ridwan, stated that around 20 teachers and educational staff retire each month, or more than 200 people per year. In the past two years, Demak has also not received sufficient recruitment positions. The regional government hopes that the need for around 400 positions can be met to reduce the vacancy of teaching staff in schools. Deputy Minister Atip said the government continues to gradually organize the need for and manage teachers in accordance with applicable regulations.*** (Writer: Uly / Editor: Denty, Seno / Photographer: Yuswan Rosepi)
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