A Number Of Schools In West Sumatra Need Heavy Equipment To Relocation Options

A number of schools affected by floods and landslides in West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) need heavy equipment to clean up mud and rock materials and some of them need the option of relocation to a safer place.

One of those who need relocation is SMAN 1 Batang Anai, Padang Pariaman Regency. According to the testimonies of the teachers, the school is indeed a flood subscription if heavy rains hit.

However, the disaster that occurred on Thursday (27/11) devastated the school, especially by mud deposits due to heavy rains for several days. In addition, the location of the school which is directly adjacent to the river further worsened the situation.

All school areas are covered in mud with varying heights. Highest to reach the knee of an adult.

Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu'ti when visiting the school received input so that schools could be relocated to a safer location.

"There is input from the teachers earlier, because this school is indeed located unsafe and very close to rivers and flood subscriptions. It is possible that in the future this school will be relocated in a new place, hopefully," said Minister of Education and Culture Abdul Mu'tidi Padang, Friday, December 5.

"And if there is land from the provincial government, we will try to get assistance from the ministry in the form of a new school unit," he continued.

The same condition occurred at SDN 08 Bancah, in Agam Regency, West Sumatra. Flash floods on Thursday (27/11) made the walls of one room burst and could no longer be used. Meanwhile, other rooms are filled with thick mud deposits.

The elementary school is also located close to the river flow. When flash floods hit, wood with varying sizes destroyed the school area and its surroundings. There are even reports that several people were swept away by the flood.

Likewise with the condition of SMPN 1 Tanjung Balai, Agam Regency, which is also worrying. The flow of water behind the school not only brings mud but also stones carried by the strong current of the river.

The laboratory room, which is located right behind the river, is almost covered in rock and mud.

Principal of SMPN 1 Tanjung Balai Mirna Zulfianti said that his party needed heavy equipment to get rid of rocks that filled the classroom. In addition, he said, river normalization is needed so that water flow does not enter schools.

"If we clean the room, we can do it ourselves. But for mud and rock material we need heavy equipment to clean it," said Mirna.