“We will do this together. Regional governments will prioritize the most vulnerable schools, usually those weakened by age or patchwork repairs that do not meet building standards,” Muhaimin said in a statement in Jakarta.
The Islamic Boarding School Development Task Force was formed following the recent collapse of a prayer hall at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java. The tragedy occurred during renovation work, trapping hundreds of students under debris.
Muhaimin said the task force was established to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of Islamic schools nationwide.
The task force will investigate public reports and carry out direct inspections to assess the structural condition of school buildings.
It involves the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and regional governments.
“Because this involves technical capabilities, the Ministry of Public Works will take the lead,” Muhaimin said.
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By the end of 2025, the task force aims to complete renovations on schools identified as structurally vulnerable following its nationwide audit.
Indonesia has an estimated 40,000 Islamic boarding schools, many of which are decades old and have never undergone proper safety evaluations or upgrades.
Muhaimin called on all relevant agencies to support the task force’s work to ensure that audits and rehabilitation efforts proceed quickly and effectively.
“The task force continues to act proactively, anticipating risks, detecting problems, and responding swiftly based on data and reports from the public,” he said.
Authorities have pledged to strengthen building safety standards for Islamic schools following the Sidoarjo tragedy, which highlighted the urgent need for stronger supervision and safer facilities for students across the country.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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