Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Wednesday it plans to accelerate the revitalization of more than 2,000 Islamic schools, or madrasahs, as part of a national education program.

“This budget carries a great responsibility. The program must be implemented prudently, carefully, and on time,” Secretary General Kamaruddin Amin said.

He said the ministry would soon finalize details, regulations, mechanisms, and tendering processes for the school revitalization in line with available funds.

Director General of Islamic Education Amin Suyitno said the program was included in President Prabowo Subianto’s quick-win initiatives. But of the 2,120 targeted schools, only 190 had been renovated so far in 2025, he added.

“Many facilities are moderately to severely damaged. The ministry must do its best to ensure this quick-win program addresses urgent needs,” Suyitno said.

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He also stressed the importance of aligning the program with President Prabowo’s education digitalization agenda.

“Madrasah digitalization must be implemented, including aptitude tests at selected schools,” he said.

Nyayu Khodijah, director of Madrasah Curriculum, Facilities, Institutional Affairs and Student Affairs, said revitalization must be based on the actual needs of each institution.

She said the work must also comply with construction standards set by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

The ministry said the revitalization aims to modernize madrasahs and make them better equipped to support national education reforms.

“We must anticipate technical obstacles, such as extreme weather at year-end that may disrupt building material distribution,” Khodijah said.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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