Rp 13 billion fund for scholarships

Rp 13 billion fund for scholarships

JAKARTA (JP): The government has earmarked Rp 13 billion to
provide scholarships to more than 57,000 needy students from
private and state elementary to senior high schools in the
capital, an official said.

Head of the city office of the Ministry of Education and
Culture Alwi Nurdin said on Friday that the scholarships were
being provided under the social safety net program.

"The government is channeling the scholarships directly to the
students through post offices located near their houses," he told
The Jakarta Post.

Each of the 57,913 students, comprising 12,807 elementary
school students, 29,974 junior high school students and 15,132
high school students, are receiving Rp 120,000 annually, he said.

He said the funds cover the students' school costs, including
school fees, stationery and other necessities.

The scholarship provision, sponsored by the World Bank, began
in July last year. The Rp 13 billion fund is to cover
scholarships through the next 1999/2000 fiscal year, he said,
adding that provision of the funds for the following fiscal year
depended on the country's condition at that time.

Existing data shows there are 447,482 elementary, junior high
and senior high school students throughout the city.

Alwi said that students eligible for the scholarships was
decided upon by a school committee consisting of school
principals, public figures and city officials.

A member of City Council Commission E for social welfare, Afif
Hamka, said he hoped the authority seriously controlled
distribution of the scholarships.

"I hope that the scholarship distribution is not tainted by
collusion and nepotism. Otherwise, the number of dropouts will
continue to increase," he said. (ind/ylt)