Poor students ask for help to study

Sari P. Setiogi, Jakarta

One of the ironies of the country's education system is the fact that millions of children, who wish to continue with their studies, are forced to drop out, as their parents cannot afford to pay their school fees.

Kiki Setya Dewi, 18, a high school graduate recently had to turn down a seat at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB). Her father, a retiree, could not pay entrance and tuition fees amounting to Rp 5.475 million (US$613).

The latest survey conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) revealed that some 67 percent of 53 million school-aged Indonesians could not continue with their studies due to poverty, or their parents' lack of awareness of the benefits of higher education.

A number of companies, via their foundations, have offered a helping hand to poor students, yet assistance is still limited.

Naomi Jamarro, corporate communications manager at the Sampoerna Foundation, told The Jakarta Post recently that more companies were expected to get involved in education programs aimed at developing the country's human resources.

Sampoerna Foundation was established by Putera Sampoerna and tobacco giant PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna. It is offering various non-binding scholarships for students to pursue higher education in economics, management and business.

For undergraduate students, the foundation offers full-package scholarships, covering school fees, living costs and a budget for internet connection.

"We are offering 30 scholarships every year for undergraduates of the University of Indonesia, University of Padjajaran (in Bandung), University of Airlangga (in Surabaya) and University of Gadjah Mada (in Yogyakarta)," said Naomi.

The scholarship is given for four consecutive years, valued at an average Rp 45 million (US$5,022).

Separately, spokesman of the Toyota-Astra Foundation, Sudiarto, told the Post that they were also offering scholarships for undergraduate students of state universities and some private ones for one academic year. This year the foundation offered 982 scholarships.

The foundation is focusing on students who major in engineering, mathematics and science, agriculture, fishery and forestry. Prospective students are selected by their respective universities.

The Toyota-Astra Foundation also offers scholarships for postgraduate and doctoral students.

Separately, senior manager of corporate communications at PT Freeport Indonesia Siddharta Moersjid, told the Post that the company had, since 1996, donated 1 percent of its revenue for the benefit of the local community, including on education.

He said the U.S.-based gold and copper mining company was supporting 1,428 Papuan students at university level. A scholarship includes a monthly living allowance.

The company also provides dormitories and guidance for students who live in remote areas, where proper school facilities are absent, he said.

Under the program, the students are moved from their houses to dormitories.

The Supersemar Foundation is another institution which has for years offered scholarships to Indonesian students. The foundation was established by former president Soeharto.

Spokesman for the foundation Herno Sasongko told the Post that this year it was supporting 14,000 university students throughout the country, with each student receiving Rp 70,000 per month.