The tsunami caused catastrophic damage in Indonesia, leaving more than 200,000 dead or missing, destroying vast amounts of infrastructure and displacing more than half a million people. Large numbers of schools were affected, with 1,147 destroyed or severely damaged in Aceh province alone, threatening the education of tens of thousands of children.

Students at SDN 1 school in Aceh province.  UNOPS/Dixie

In 2005 Nias Island, which had escaped the worst of the tsunami effects, was struck by an 8.7 magnitude earthquake, killing hundreds and damaging or destroying most of the island's infrastructure.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) contracted UNOPS to build the schools as the main implementing partner, with a budget of over $71 million. The project was aimed at creating educational facilities of a much higher standard than existed prior to the tsunami.

Achievements

Class in session at SDN 34 elementary school. UNOPS/Dixie

A total of 225 permanent primary schools and 1,467 classrooms have since been built by UNOPS in Aceh province and on Nias Island. The schools are capable of serving over 44,000 students.

In addition to increasing the number of children enrolled in Indonesian primary schools, the project has led to significant improvements in the quality of education, reduced drop-out rates in elementary schools and increased primary school completion figures. As a result, the project has contributed to Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2, to “achieve universal primary education”.

The basic school design set new standards in earthquake resistance and typically incorporated: six classrooms, separate toilet facilities for girls and boys with washbasins to encourage improved hygiene, a teacher’s office, and an outdoor play area. The designs of all school facilities were adapted to the specific needs of each community and the requirements of each construction site. All of the schools were completed by March 2010.

Case study : Local community participates in building new Hiliaurifa School

Hezisokhi Hulu is the principal of Hiliaurifa School in South Nias. He is the only government employee at the school – the other 11 teachers volunteer and are paid a token allowance by the community.

Principal Hezisokhi Hulu works with a student at Hiliaurifa School. UNOPS/Dixie

The school serves 322 students in a community comprised of one main village and five smaller villages. “There are no roads in this area,” Mr Hulu explained. “I have to walk 4 km a day, to and from school.”  

The earthquake in 2005 destroyed the original school.

“We were very lucky, as it happened at night when the school was empty, so no one was hurt,” Mr Hulu said.

Following the earthquake, UNICEF was asked by the Indonesian government to construct a permanent school in South Nias. The new Hiliaurifa School has since been completed.

 “This is by far the best building in the community,” said Mr Hulu. “Many people in the community helped with the labour for this school...we all contributed by bringing the materials from the river crossing, through the jungle and up the mountain.

 “The children had a chance to learn how modern buildings are constructed, it was a great lesson for us all.”

He added: “Our new school is very well designed, the ventilation and light is fantastic. Outside can be very hot and humid, but we all feel cool inside.

“We have a word ‘Adem’, it means cool breeze and that’s what we call the school.”

UNOPS project management

During tsunami rebuilding work UNOPS was based in Banda Aceh, with a network of six offices, employing up to 200 local personnel and over 100 contractors.

UNOPS managed all aspects of the construction of the Aceh and Nias schools including: design; tendering and awarding contracts; vetting, recruiting and managing human resources; and reporting and financial management.

In addition, UNOPS employed both international and national engineers to supervise the design and construction process, ensuring that all schools met the National Standards of Indonesia and the revised Aceh Building Code. 
 
Owing to the success of the schools reconstruction project, UNICEF extended the UNOPS contract to include the construction of 27 ‘Posyandus Plus’, integrated health nutrition and early childhood development centres. Health workers monitor growth and nutrition, administer vaccinations, and provide ante-natal care. The early childhood development centre is a place for young children to learn and is designed to positively influence their future physical and mental health and social development.

Achieving UNOPS contribution goals

During 2010-2013, four high-level goals are defining the work of UNOPS. They are called ‘contribution goals’, since UNOPS contributes to the work and results of its partners. This project is working towards the second contribution goal: Early recovery of communities affected by natural disasters.