Indonesia lawmaker urges data collection for earthquake-affected educators and students

Rycko Menoza, a member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), has urged the central government to immediately inventory data regarding teachers, educational staff, and students affected by earthquakes in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), including the Bima region.

Menoza emphasized that accurate data collection is vital to ensure the safety, protection, and educational rights of children in the affected areas, especially given the potential for aftershocks. He stressed that emergency response should not only focus on general logistics but also on the continuity of education.

The DPR is also encouraging the government to provide safe, temporary learning spaces, such as emergency tents or learning centers, for students whose schools have been damaged or deemed unsafe, to ensure that the learning process is not interrupted by the disaster.