North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, October 16, 2026 - Classrooms with holes in the floor, leaking roofs, and decaying ceilings were once part of the daily routine for students at Public Elementary School 173281 Lumban Julu, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. These conditions disrupted teaching and learning activities, especially during rainy seasons. Now, through the Education Unit Revitalization Program, the school has more suitable facilities to support safe and comfortable learning.
Tamaria Purba, the principal of Lumban Julu 173281 Public Elementary School, revealed that since the school's founding, there have been no significant improvements to its facilities and infrastructure. In addition to damaged classrooms, the school's toilets are also inadequate and unusable.
In 2025, the school received Rp775,180,174 in revitalization assistance. The assistance was used to rehabilitate two classrooms, including toilets and sanitation, as well as to build a health center (UKS) room and a library.
Tamaria said the improvements have made the school environment tidier and teaching and learning more conducive. Teachers and students feel more comfortable and enthusiastic about participating in learning. "Parents are also happy because their children are more comfortable learning, which is expected to improve their academic and non-academic achievements," Tamaria said.
Arion Maruli Hurabarat, a fourth-grade student at Lumban Julu Public Elementary School 173281, also felt the change. He recalled the condition of the school building when he was in third grade, when the windows were broken, the roof was full of holes, and the classroom floor was damaged. "When I entered fourth grade, the classrooms and toilets were much nicer. I became very enthusiastic about learning. Thank you, Mr. President and the Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education," Arion said.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, personally inspected the school's revitalization during a working visit to North Tapanuli Regency on Thursday (10/15). In addition to examining the building's condition, the Minister also witnessed learning using the Interactive Flat Panel (IFP).
During English lessons, students appeared enthusiastic about participating. They actively raised their hands and came to the front of the class to work on problems on the IFP screen. The learning atmosphere was also punctuated by icebreakers through songs and movements displayed via video. "The school has a new face and a new appearance, and hopefully, the enthusiasm will be renewed as well," said the Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Furthermore, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education emphasized that the government is striving to ensure that every Indonesian citizen receives equal educational opportunities. One way to achieve this is by improving educational facilities and infrastructure so that schools can provide a suitable learning environment for students and teachers.
In North Tapanuli Regency, the 2025 Education Unit Revitalization Program covers 107 educational units, including 3 early childhood education centers (PAUD), 79 elementary schools (SD), 13 junior high schools (SMP), 6 senior high schools (SMA), and 6 vocational high schools (SMK). The total budget for the program's implementation reaches Rp79.47 billion.
Then, in 2026, the revitalization program in North Tapanuli Regency encompassed 91 schools that had signed cooperation agreements (PKS), with a total budget of IDR 67.97 billion. The beneficiary schools included 31 early childhood education (PAUD), 42 elementary schools, 8 junior high schools, 6 senior high schools, and 4 vocational schools. To date, funds disbursed have reached IDR 54.48 billion.
Minister Mu'ti also conveyed the government's commitment to repairing schools with moderate to severe damage throughout Indonesia. " God willing , the President has committed to repairing all moderately and severely damaged schools in Indonesia by 2029 or the end of 2028," he concluded. *** (Writer: Stephanie/Editors: Destya, Seno/Photographer: Yuswan R.)
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