Poor students ask for help to study

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.