Thousands Of Students Affected By Disasters, DPR Asks For UKT Relief And National Data Collection

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR, MY Esti Wijayati asked the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) to provide academic dispensation and single tuition relief (UKT), as well as affordable internet access for students from disaster-affected areas.

"We hope that the government can provide dispensation or postpone the payment of school fees and tuition fees for affected students. This policy is important to ease the burden on families who are struggling to recover conditions," Esti said in a statement to reporters, Monday, December 1.

As is known, natural disasters hit a number of areas in the country. Such as flash floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra and Sulawesi, large floods in Kalimantan, high waves on the coast of Java-Bali, to fires in residential areas in Papua and Jakarta.

According to the head of the commission in charge of education, the scale of the impact of disasters that occurred at the end of this year not only damaged infrastructure and settlements, but also rocked the continuity of the education of thousands of students and students throughout Indonesia.

"For this reason, we ask the Ministry of Education and Technology to immediately record all students from disaster-affected areas through campuses throughout Indonesia, and provide dispensation for delays and relief from paying their tuition fees. Considering this is approaching UAS and entering the even semester of 2026," explained Esti.

Esti also responded to President Prabowo Subianto's statement regarding the possibility of determining the national disaster emergency status in Sumatra. He considered that the President's statement emphasized that Indonesia was in an emergency phase that required an integrated response, including in the higher education sector which is now on the UAS threshold and is entering the even semester of 2026.

"Therefore, dispensation and UKT relief for students are important. This is to ease the burden on parents and students affected by natural disasters," said Esti.

"This policy must apply to all students from all areas affected by disasters in Indonesia, not only Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra," added the PDIP legislator from the DI Yogyakarta electoral district.

Esti also encouraged the Ministry of Education and Technology to conduct national data collection quickly and integrated with all students from the disaster area. Including from North Tapanuli, Humbahas, Karo in North Sumatra, East Aceh, North Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, Bireun to Lhokseumawe.

Then for the West Sumatra region, especially on the South Coast, Agam, and Tanah Datar. Then South Sumatra, Jambi, Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi and South Sulawesi, the coast of Java-Bali, Papua and Jakarta.

"It must be properly recorded that students from these areas come from," said Esti.

Esti emphasized that this data collection cannot wait for passive reports. However, each campus must proactively identify affected students through the faculty, academic bureau, and regional student associations.

"Academic dispensation ahead of UAS is the state's obligation, not an optional policy. Students who are in disaster areas are experiencing serious obstacles; damaged houses and even drowned, not to mention losing academic documents, internet and power networks breaking, transportation cut off, trauma and unstable family conditions," explained Esti,

"Then give flexibility in learning methods, issue a force majeure policy for the entire academic process. No students should fail to study just because they are victims of disasters," he continued.

Esti also asked to postpone the payment of UKT Semester Even 2026 without fines, as well as relief or cutting UKT for students from families who have lost their livelihoods.

"The Ministry of Education and Technology and universities are required to provide disaster emergency scholarships for students who are economically affected, as well as expand KIP Lectures for affected areas," he said.

Esti also assessed that it is necessary to apply the UKT installment scheme until the economic situation of the affected families recovers. "This policy is important because thousands of families have lost their homes, land, and income due to disasters," he concluded.