The Ministry Of Public Works Plans To Train Students To Become Construction Workers To Build Their Own Islamic Boarding Schools

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo. (Theresia Agatha/ VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) will provide training as construction staff to students who want to build Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) in mutual cooperation.

The plan follows the tragedy of the collapse of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School building in Sidoarjo, East Java, which collapsed on Monday, September 29, 2025.

One of the things most highlighted in the incident was the problem of the absence of Building Approval (PBG). In addition, it is said that the construction of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School is also carried out independently by students without clear standards.

Based on data from the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), the number of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia reaches more than 42,000. Meanwhile, those who have PBG are very minimal, namely only 51 pesantren.

Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works seeks to facilitate the community through training. This is to ensure that Islamic boarding schools will meet good, appropriate and safe standards. However, it is also based on the culture of mutual cooperation.

"We actually want to strengthen it with knowledge. Therefore, God willing (Ministry) PU will train and certify the students as construction workers, for free (free)," said Dody at the signing of the SKB on Synergy in the Implementation of Islamic Boarding School Education Infrastructure at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 14.

Dody said the government did not want to eliminate the mutual cooperation culture that underlies the formation of many Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. The implementation of the training is expected to facilitate students who work together to build their own Islamic boarding schools.

"Many Islamic boarding schools grew from the spirit of mutual cooperation, Islamic boarding schools were born from sincerity. We really don't want the cultural spirit to disappear," he said.

"We really hope that this spirit of mutual cooperation will turn into recognized expertise. They can build their own pesantres with the right standards and a sense of pride," he continued.

In addition, in the future the local government (Pemda) will have more authority to carry out licensing up to certification of Islamic boarding schools, without having to go to the center. The Ministry of Public Works will still be present as a director and supervisor and ensure the reliability of the building.

"We will be directing and supervising policies, ensuring that every new building through good and correct licensing, every learning room meets the minimum eligibility standards as a santri," he explained.