Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - The government is prioritizing the renovation and reconstruction of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in the initial phase, focusing on institutions located in West Java, Central Java, and East Java.
"They are the primary targets due to the complexity of needs and the high number of Islamic boarding schools recommended by the Ministry of Religious Affairs," the Deputy for Coordination of Village Community Empowerment, Disadvantaged Regions, and Specific Areas at the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, Abdul Haris, said on Wednesday (November 19).
Therefore, the three provinces are also the primary targets for the initial audit, he added.
Regarding financing, Haris informed that state budget intervention would be carried out to ensure the buildings meet functional feasibility standards after the final audit.
"We will take more strategic steps because this involves the use of the state budget. Provincial and district/city governments are also expected to play a role in accelerating renovations," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Human Settlements at the Ministry of Public Works, Dewi Chomistriana, revealed a construction safety crisis at thousands of Islamic boarding schools.
According to her, initial audits of Islamic boarding school buildings revealed alarming findings where the majority lacked adequate structural feasibility to ensure the safety of all students.
Of the 19 Islamic boarding school buildings audited by November 2025, only six percent met structural strength and disaster mitigation standards, Chomistriana continued.
"Only six percent met structural strength. Most are lacking fire, lightning, drinking water, and sanitation measures," she said.
She explained that one of the main root causes of the problem was low compliance with technical regulations.
Nationally, only 667 Islamic boarding schools have obtained Building Permits (PBG), while only 170 have Certificates of Functional Worthiness (SLF).
She then highlighted that PBG and SLF are vital to ensure the construction and operational eligibility of these Islamic boarding schools.
"With the authority to issue PBGs and SLFs, district/city governments can expedite the issuance of these certificates for Islamic boarding schools," Chomistriana said, reiterating the need for comprehensive improvements to the construction and sanitation facilities of Islamic boarding schools.
