Baznas distributes education scholarships through OKU Cerdas Programme

The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) of Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, South Sumatra, has distributed educational scholarships through the OKU Cerdas Programme to high-achieving school pupils and university students from underprivileged families. Darman Syafei, Vice Chairman II for Distribution and Utilisation at Baznas OKU, stated in Baturaja on Thursday that the OKU Cerdas Programme is one of five flagship programmes of the OKU Regency Government with a full focus on the education sector. This initiative includes providing scholarships for high-achieving pupils and students or those from low-income families to ensure the continuity of their education. “The OKU Cerdas Programme this year is targeted to reach 100 beneficiaries,” he said. For the initial phase, he noted, educational scholarship assistance was provided to 25 recipients from primary school level up to university students. One of the aid recipients is Duta Varrel Maulana, a student at the Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy Study Programme, University of Indonesia. He explained that this educational scholarship assistance is sourced from Zakat, Infak, and Sedekah (ZIS) funds channelled by the community of OKU Regency through Baznas. “Hopefully this assistance will be beneficial and bring blessings,” said Darman. Previously, OKU Regent Teddy Meilwansyah encouraged the community in his region to channel ZIS through Baznas to improve residents’ welfare and develop the area. He explained that ZIS funds managed by Baznas are distributed on target through five flagship programmes of the local government, namely OKU Cerdas, OKU Taqwa, OKU Makmur, OKU Sehat, and OKU Peduli. These five flagship programmes are designed to touch various aspects of community life, from education (OKU Cerdas), faith and piety development (OKU Taqwa), economic empowerment (OKU Makmur), health services (OKU Sehat), to social and humanitarian aid (OKU Peduli).