Over 1,000 poor Bogor students get scholarships

As many as 1,165 junior high school students from poor families in Bogor municipality will receive scholarships from the West Java administration for the next school year, an official says.

Head of Bogor Elementary Education Agency Ade Sarief Hidayat said on Thursday that each of the 1,165 students would receive Rp 1 million (US$105.26) per year.

No data has been made available on the total number of students from poor families in the municipality.

It is also not clear how students will be selected, or the duration of the scholarships. Usually, the government awards scholarships that last for one school year only.

Ade said the money would not be given directly to students, but to their respective schools for their education fees and other legitimate charges.

"The money will be used for school fees, school uniforms, scout uniforms, books and other equipment," said Ade, adding that the scholarship program was aimed at helping the children of poor families continue with their education.

He said the Bogor administration would also give scholarships to elementary school students from poor families.

Each of those students will receive Rp 750,000 a year.

However, he did not mention how many students would be recipients of the scholarships. --Antara