Sultan HB X Extends Aid for Students Affected by Disaster: Don't Let DO

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Government (Pemda DIY) has extended life assistance for 1,296 students affected by disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

"The principle is, don't let any of the 1,296 students DO ('drop out') because their parents can't send them anymore and cause them to drop out. Don't let it happen," said DIY Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X at the Kepatihan complex, Yogyakarta, Tuesday, January 13, reported by ANTARA.

The Sultan explained that the extension of assistance was realized through the relay scheme for funding the banking sector and the DIY Regional Government.

In the initial phase, the banking sector which is included in the DIY Regional Banking Consultative Body (BMPD) and the DIY Financial Services Industry Communication Forum (FKIJK) provided additional funding support before being fully continued with the DIY Regional Government budget.

"Later it will be continued by the local government for six months, with the hope that within six months the parents can help again," said the Sultan.

In this transition phase, the banking sector injected additional funds of Rp500 million.

The funds are projected to cover the cost of living of students for about 1.5 months before being continued by the DIY Regional Government.

"The most important thing is that students receive living expenses to reduce the burden on their parents," said Sultan HB X.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bank Indonesia (BI) DIY Representative Office, Sri Darmadi Sudibyo, conveyed that the support was a form of consistency in synergy between institutions in maintaining the sustainability of education for students affected by disasters.

The distribution of assistance will continue to be carried out through the Bank BPD DIY as in the previous scheme.

"We convey this living expenses so that student friends can continue to go to school and complete their studies well. The mechanism remains consistent as before through the Bank BPD DIY," said Sri Darmadi.

The assistance program is a continuation of the first phase which is planned to last for six months.

With the additional duration of support from the banking sector, Sri Darmadi hopes that parents of students in disaster-affected areas have enough time to recover the economic condition of the family.

He said that each student was recorded to receive assistance of around Rp. 300 thousand per month which was distributed through student groups under the management of the DIY BPD Bank.