President seeks better facilities for madrasas: Deputy Minister

Cirebon (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto is committed to improving facilities and infrastructure for Islamic schools, or madrasas, through the nationwide school revitalization quick-win program, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muhammad Syafi’i affirmed.

“Mr. President has a noble intention of upgrading madrasas through better buildings and more adequate facilities,” he noted in a statement cited here on Monday.

Syafi’i emphasized that enhancing the quality of madrasa infrastructure forms part of the government’s broader strategy for creating more comfortable learning environments for children across Indonesia.

To support the initiative, he conducted a firsthand review of the ongoing rehabilitation of Public Junior High Madrasa (MTsN) 9 in Cirebon, West Java, on Sunday (July 5).

According to him, the government intends the program not only to upgrade physical structures but also to deliver tangible benefits for students and teachers.

“We expect a comfortable learning environment to boost students’ enthusiasm for learning,” Syafi’i remarked.

The deputy minister also stressed the importance of accountable budget management, calling for compliance with applicable standards throughout the revitalization process.

Pertaining to MTsN 9 Cirebon, he confirmed that construction is proceeding well despite certain unfinished works.

He noted plans to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Works to immediately complete the works to further advance the development.

“The Religious Ministry will continue assisting madrasas,” he affirmed, encouraging school administrators to communicate with the ministry’s local offices should significant issues arise.

Beyond physical improvements, Syafi’i called on all madrasas to cultivate a culture of cleanliness and proper maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the upgraded facilities.

The government aims to revitalize 1,397 madrasas nationwide under the program, as announced by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono on June 19.

He said 548 madrasas in 26 provinces had already been upgraded with Rp1.3 trillion (more than US$72 million) in funding, describing the program as an instrument to improve Indonesia’s Human Development Index.

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Translator: F. Rohman, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Primayanti

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