1,600 students to quit school

1,600 students to quit school

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 1,600 students from strife-
plagued North Maluku are liable to quit universities here as
their parents are no longer sending money, a student activist
said on Tuesday.

Mochtar Adam, chairman of the Forum for Maluku Provinces
Society (Forkap-Malut), told The Jakarta Post that the students
-- especially those from Galela, Jailolo and Ternate areas -- had
not received any money from their families since October due to
the continuing conflict in the new province.

"We have practically nothing left here and have to work for a
living. We heard our farmlands and belongings were destroyed.

"We don't know whether our parents are still alive, so we no
longer expect money from them."

Mochtar said the students hoped the universities would exempt
them from paying tuition fees.

He also urged the city administration to promptly help
students who had fled conflict-torn Ambon. He said with the
number of displaced students increasing, a policy that would
allow them to continue their studies was needed.

Separately, Sulawesi's Wirabuana Military Commander Maj. Gen.
Agus Wirahadikusuma donated three tons of rice to the students
residing at the dormitory for natives of North Maluku. (27/01)