Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Atip Lalipulhayat said on Wednesday that the funds will be used to renovate 500 schools, including primary, high schools, and vocational institutions.
"This is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision in the education sector," he said after a meeting on the progress of National Strategic Programs in Kupang.
Lalipulhayat said that revitalization efforts are already underway and are expected to be completed soon.
He noted that the program targets schools with varying levels of structural damage — from mild to severe — and that two new schools will also be built in NTT to support learning and educational access in the region.
The deputy minister added that the ministry's broader education agenda includes digitalizing the national education system and prioritizing teacher welfare.
He also highlighted the role of the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP), saying the assistance could be expanded as it has helped reduce dropout rates, not just in NTT but across the country.
Head of the NTT Education Office, Ambros Kodo, confirmed that work is ongoing on the 500 schools and that more schools could be added to the revitalization list.
In a separate event the same day, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti said that 13,763 schools are set to be revitalized and renovated in 2025 — a 32.4 percent increase from the initial target of 10,395 schools.
The government has allocated a total of Rp16.9 trillion (around US$1 billion) for this nationwide initiative.
Related news: Private schools can now apply for govt renovation funds
Related news: School revitalization aims to improve education quality: govt
Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
