• Death toll from the Indonesian school collapse has risen to 67.
• Rescue efforts concluded after all debris was cleared and victims recovered.
• President vows to reform safety standards for Islamic boarding schools.
• Initial findings suggest structural failure due to inadequate construction practices.
• Only 50 out of 42,000 Islamic schools in Indonesia have proper building permits.

The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, has tragically risen to 67, as rescue teams completed their operations, clearing all debris and confirming no further victims beneath the rubble. The collapse occurred on September 29 while hundreds of students gathered for afternoon prayers, making it Indonesia's deadliest disaster of the year, according to the Jakarta Post, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

Authorities have confirmed that a total of 171 victims were involved, with 104 survivors rescued from the site. Investigators are looking into the causes of the collapse, which initial reports suggest were linked to substandard construction practices as the building's foundations were found inadequate to support additional floors being constructed, this information comes from Al Jazeera, TRT Global, and BBC.

In response to this disaster, the Indonesian government has pledged to enhance oversight and management of Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in building safety regulations. Only 50 out of about 42,000 pesantren in the country have valid building permits, raising significant concerns regarding compliance with safety standards, as noted by the South China Morning Post and Jakarta Post.

Investigation reports also suggest a concerning pattern of inadequate funding and regulatory oversight for faith-based educational institutions across Indonesia. This incident has illuminated the potential risks and vulnerabilities within the country's educational architecture, prompting calls for a comprehensive review and reform of building practices as stated by experts and reported by Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.