Jakarta Governor explains LPDP Jakarta budget of Rp100 billion for 50-75 recipients

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has explained that the special Jakarta LPDP programme is planned to send 50 to 75 prospective students abroad with a budget of Rp100 billion. “The amount is Rp100 billion. Based on discussions with the central LPDP, one child actually needs approximately Rp2 billion. So, the plan is to send between 50 and 75 children,” Pramono said at City Hall on Monday. However, Pramono stressed that the adjustment in the number of recipients was made because the Jakarta Provincial Government must also allocate funds for other priority programmes, one of which is the revitalisation of damaged schools. “One of the priorities is the renovation and revitalisation of primary schools. Due to the DPH cuts, from the original 22, initially only seven were covered. Yesterday I decided to add four, making it 11. Those 11 are the ones we will repair, including SD Negeri 09 Kebayoran Lama, which is temporarily relocated to SD Negeri 11,” Pramono said. Nevertheless, during a meeting with the Jakarta Education Agency, Commission E of the Jakarta DPRD requested that the entire LPDP Jakarta budget not be used solely for the scholarship programme. Commission E Chair M Subki argued that there are many other educational needs deemed more urgent than the programme. He suggested the budget should instead be used to repair damaged schools and increase the quota for free private schools. However, during the meeting, Head of the Jakarta Education Agency Nahdiana stated that the spirit behind the programme is to enable Jakarta’s children to study abroad, aligning with Jakarta’s status as a global city. After discussions, Commission E of the Jakarta DPRD ultimately requested that the city administration divide the LPDP Jakarta budget between the scholarship programme and other pressing educational matters.