On May 1, 2024, it was reported that Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs had successfully rehabilitated 64 madrasahs in the Cianjur district of West Java, following a devastating earthquake in November 2022. The World Bank, in collaboration with the government, implemented the Realizing Education's Promise Project to restore a safe learning environment for more than 13,000 students affected by the disaster.
Afi Suprapti, a kindergarten madrasah principal, expressed gratitude for the quick response and support received, stating, “When we heard about it, we were very happy.” Similarly, Rahmawati, a mother of a kindergarten student, shared concerns about the disruption caused by the earthquake, highlighting the challenges faced by students in adapting to online learning methods.
Drawing on past experiences in Indonesia and the region, the World Bank applied lessons learned to rebuild and rehabilitate structures in Cianjur to withstand future natural disasters. Shinsaku Nomura, a senior economist at the World Bank, emphasized the importance of utilizing established guidelines for efficient reconstruction efforts.
Hari Suherman, an elementary madrasah principal, noted the improved resilience of the rehabilitated buildings, stating, “Thank God, there was no damage to the building after the incident. So, this means this school is more resistant to earthquakes now.”
Looking ahead, Shinsaku Nomura highlighted the project's readiness to expand support to additional madrasahs across Indonesia in need of rehabilitation. The Realizing Education's Promise project aims to enhance outcomes for primary and secondary students in religious schools through various initiatives, including professional development for teachers, implementation of an electronic budgeting system, and improving education data quality.
With over 153,000 teachers and education personnel trained so far, the project anticipates benefiting approximately 11.6 million students by the end of the year, demonstrating a commitment to improving education quality and access in Indonesia.