To Build Basement Or Elevate, Regency Government Discusses Special Design Of Schools In Frequent Flood Area In Bekasi Regency

The situation in Kampung Kali Ulu, Tanjung Sari Village, North Cikarang District, Bekasi Regency that was flooded. (doc. BPBD Bekasi)

BEKASI - The Bekasi Regency Government (Pemkab) is planning a special design for schools in their area which are frequently flooded in Bekasi Regency.

Head of the Bekasi Regency Education Office, Imam Faturahman, said that a number of schools in his area were flooded due to heavy rains, which has become a problem that has yet to be resolved.

"Our hope is of course for locations that are prone to flooding, school construction will receive special treatment so that no more schools will be submerged in floods. Because there are still several school locations that are in the lowland, even lower than the road level," he said in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, Wednesday, April 5, as reported by Antara.

Imam admitted that he had coordinated with the Cipta Karya dan Tata Ruang (Citata) Office so that this condition could be followed up immediately. "Alhamdulillah, the Human Settlement Service has supported it so that a special design will be made," he added.

The Head of the Bekasi Regency Citata Service Benny Sugiarto Prawiro added that he had prepared a number of options for handling school buildings in flood-prone locations, including by making a special design.

According to him, school buildings can be built higher than road level by installing rows of strong pillars as supports.

"So a basement is made. So if it's dry, it can be used as a parking lot. But if it floods, the school building or classrooms will remain safe, not submerged. The design is still being prepared," he said.

They also plan to move the school to a safe location. This step will be coordinated with related agencies so that it can be carried out.

"It can be moved to a safer location. This condition is carried out if the surrounding environment is no longer possible to build a new building," he said.

Benny confirmed his commitment to pay more attention so that school development can be maximized. This year the budget for school construction reached IDR 193.105 billion. This amount is allocated for large-scale and serious school repairs and new school units.

"The allocation has been included in the 2023 APBD. It is for the repair of schools that are heavily and moderately damaged. There are also constructions of new school units at several points, both at the junior and elementary levels," he said.