RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry officially inaugurated eight revitalized schools in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. This overcomes the concerns of students and teachers in the remote border area of Sebatik Island about school roofs collapsing.

The initiative moves beyond mere structural repairs to mark a strategic shift toward providing equitable, high-quality learning environments. This effort specifically targets children living on the nation's frontlines along the Indonesian-Malaysian border.

The revitalization project, executed under the direct instruction of President Prabowo Subianto, serves as a constitutional commitment to national intellectual development.

Deputy Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education, Atip Latipulhayat, emphasized during the inauguration on Monday, January 19, 2026, that adequate infrastructure is the backbone of effective education.

“One of the important components is the availability of adequate educational facilities. These must meet the requirements for creating safe and comfortable schools that support effective learning,” said Atip in Jakarta, as quoted by

Beyond the initial construction, the Deputy Minister stressed the necessity of long-term stewardship, urging school communities to maintain the new facilities with discipline.

Highlighting a common challenge in public infrastructure, he noted that maintenance is just as vital as the build itself. “Regarding the toilets mentioned earlier, don't let them be clean for only one year and then dirty the next. Preserving and maintaining them is very important,” added Atip.

The impact of these upgrades is felt most deeply by those on the ground. Before the intervention, schools like Public Vocational School 1 Nunukan operated under precarious conditions where learning was frequently disrupted by the weather. Principal Jathu Roswita recalled the constant anxiety felt by the 752 students and their teachers, who often had to use tarps to shield classrooms from heavy leaks.

“Thank God, after receiving this revitalization, our students feel happy and more motivated to come to school because they find it is now safe, comfortable, and the buildings are attractive,” remarked Roswita.

Local officials echoed this sentiment, viewing the project as a powerful signal of inclusivity. Nunukan Deputy Regent Hermanus expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the regional administration, noting that the Deputy Minister’s visit to the frontier was far from a mere formality.

He characterized it as a clear message that the state provides genuine attention to those living at the nation’s limits. This ensures that border children possess the same rights to a proper education as those in urban centers.

This revitalization is expected to not only boost student morale, but also serve as a cornerstone for sustainable human development in Indonesia's most strategic peripheral regions. ***