“We will assist those that truly cannot afford reconstruction,” he said in a statement on Friday.
To qualify, pesantrens must also meet two other criteria — having more than 1,000 students and buildings deemed at high structural risk — according to the Pesantren Development Arrangement Task Force, which will oversee the program.
Iskandar said two types of rehabilitation will be offered: building renovation and full reconstruction, depending on the results of structural audits carried out by the task force.
The aid follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure the safety of students after a deadly building collapse at a pesantren in Sidoarjo, East Java.
Related news: Minister urges pesantrens more adaptive in addressing building risks
“This is a rapid response over the next two months. The President and the government are committed to ensuring protection in our national education system,” Iskandar said.
On September 29, a building at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo collapsed during evening prayers, killing 67 people.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) reported finding 171 victims during rescue operations, including 104 survivors.
Following the tragedy, the government established the Pesantren Development Arrangement Task Force, involving the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and regional administrations.
The task force was formed to prevent similar incidents by inspecting pesantren buildings across the country and responding to public reports on unsafe structures.
Related news: Indonesian House backs Prabowo’s audit of Islamic school buildings
Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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