Baznas distributes education scholarships through OKU Cerdas Programme

Baturaja (ANTARA) - The National Board of Zakat (Baznas) of Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, South Sumatra, is distributing educational scholarships through the OKU Cerdas Programme to high-achieving students and university students from low-income families.

Darman Syafei, Vice Chairman II for Distribution and Utilisation at Baznas OKU, stated in Baturlantja on Thursday that the OKU Cerdas Programme is one of five flagship programmes of the OKU Regency Government, focusing entirely on the education sector. This initiative includes providing scholarships for high-achieving students or those from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure the continuity of their education.

“The OKU Cerdas Programme aims to target 100 beneficiaries this year,” he said. For the initial phase, he noted, educational scholarship assistance was provided to 25 recipients, ranging from primary school students to university students.

One of the recipients, Duta Varrel Maulana, is a student at the Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy Study Programme, at the University of Indonesia (UI). He explained that the educational scholarship assistance is sourced from Zakat, Alms, and Charity (ZIS) funds distributed by the residents of OKU Regency through Baznas.

“Hopefully, this assistance will be beneficial and bring blessings,” said Darman.

Previously, the Regent of OKU, Teddy Meilwansyah, invited the local community to distribute ZIS through Baznas to improve citizen welfare and develop the region. He explained that ZIS funds managed by Baznas are distributed precisely through the local government’s five flagship programmes: OKU Cerdas, OKU Taqwa, OKU Makmur, OKU Sehat, and OKU Peduli.

These five flagship programmes are designed to address various aspects of community life, ranging from education (OKU Cerdas), spiritual development and piety (OKU Taqwa), economic empowerment (OKU Makmur), healthcare services (OKU Sehat), to social and humanitarian assistance (OKU Peduli).