Jakarta gives bankcards to underprivileged students

03 December, 2012 | Source: The Jakarta Post

Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Saturday launched the Jakarta Smart Card, a program to give better access to education for students from low-income families.



A smart card, which is actually a Bank DKI ATM card, contains Rp 240,000 (US$25) and will be reloaded on first day every month. The cards can be used to pay for the students’ personal school expenses, such as uniforms, books and transport.

The administration distributed over 3,000 cards on Saturday to students from North Jakarta high schools in Tanjung Priok and for students from four other municipalities in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Jokowi said that by the end of the year over 10,000 smart cards would be distributed to underprivileged students from 98 private schools and 15 state schools.

The administration plans to give cards to all underprivileged students across the capital in 2013 and will pump more than Rp 600 billion into the plan.

Over a quarter of a million students are eligible for the assistance: 55,000 senior high school students, 60,000 junior high school students and 135,000 elementary school students.

“Giving new money will directly address their problems. The students know what they need best. Some might need uniforms, some others might need books,” Jokowi explained.

Misun, 18, said the money would be his salvation, covering his monthly tuition fees of Rp 300,000, too much of a burden for his mother who works as a housemaid.

“Since my father passed away, my mother has worked hard to send me to school. I am so glad that there is a program like this as it will relieve her load,” said Misun, a student in an vocational accounting school in North Jakarta.

Parents also sounded their enthusiasm for the program, seeing it as a deliverance from grueling school-related expenses.

“I don’t even know what an ATM is,” said Ahmad, one of whose twin sons was enrolled in SMA Muhammadiyah in Central Jakarta and was due to receive the card on Saturday.

“But I received a letter from the school yesterday that informed me my son will receive monthly money through it. I can only say, God is great,” said the 55-year-old street vendor.

Nita Yuwasiatih, SMA Yappenda deputy principal, echoed Ahmad, saying her school applauded the program.

“I won’t restrict my students on what they use the money for as long as the school needs have been met, because the money is theirs to use,” she said.

Jokowi said that because the students could use the money freely, the administration would conduct a survey of teachers and parents to check what the students used the money for.

“Don’t use the money to go to the cinema or buy a television set, or else I will revoke the cards,” Jokowi told the students during his speech in SMA Paskalis.

 

The Indonesian government has ensured that people in the age group of over 18 years will receive the COVID-19 vaccine to expand vaccination coverage to 70 percent across Indonesia.
The Indonesian government plans to issue savings sukuk (Islamic bonds), series ST007, to expand the base of retail investors in the domestic financial market and finance green projects in the state budget (APBN).
President Joko Widodo recently signed a regulation specifying the procurement and immunization schedule for the COVID-19 vaccine for Indonesia, which has been battling the deadly disease since March 2 this year.
President Joko Widodo on Wednesday said the coronavirus pandemic has reminded the nation and the state of the importance of science and technology.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi offered her condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of the explosion that rocked Beirut in Lebanon on Tuesday evening.
Indonesia is working with South Korea to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease, in addition to collaborating with China.
Address: 1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 26. | MAP |
Phone: (+36-1) 413 3800 Fax: (+36-1) 322 8669
E-mail: embassy@indonesianembassy.hu