TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or more popularly known as Ahok, said the cash earmarked for the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) program in 2015 would be increased to meet students' actual necessities. Ahok said the current funds had been inadequate to meet students’ study needs.
“Our surveys have revealed that the amount [of aid funds] given right now is not enough,” Ahok said in his speech at the commemoration of the National Children’s Day event at Dunia Fantasi amusement park in Ancol, Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
Presently, students with KJP cards at elementary schools and ibtidaiyah (Islamic elementary schools) or their equivalents are entitled to Rp180,000 monthly. Students under the program at junior high schools and their equivalents, meanwhile, receive Rp210,000 monthly, and those at high schools and their equivalents get Rp240,000 per month.
Ahok said the Jakarta Education Agency planned on altering the fund withdrawal scheme for KJP recipients. Under the new scheme, he went on, the recipients could only withdraw money for transport needs, while the cash for textbooks and tuition fees would be transferred via an autodebit facility.
Ahok explained the new withdrawal scheme would be regulated in a new regional regulation, which was presently being designed at the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD). He said the new scheme would prevent cases of receipt manipulation in the purchase of students’ learning necessities from recurring.
“The KJP cards can no longer be used to accomodate students’ parents’ needs,” he said, adding the status of the KJP program would no longer be social aid under the new regulation.
LINDA HAIRANI
