Ministry Of Religion Prepares IDR 479 Billion For Internet Access Assistance In Distance Learning

Photo Archive. A student participates in online teaching and learning activities from his home in Kerten, Solo, Central Java (Photo: Mohammad Ayudha/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has allocated funds of around Rp. 479 billion to provide internet access assistance to students, students, teachers, and lecturers in religious education units in the period September-November 2021 in an effort to support the implementation of distance learning (PJJ). To meet the internet data package needs of students, students, teachers, and lecturers for three months starting September, October, November, we will prepare IDR 479 billion," said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas at the inauguration of the continued inauguration of the internet quota assistance program and single tuition assistance for 2021 in Jakarta. , reported by Antara, Wednesday, August 4. The Minister of Religion said that the COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted since March 2020 has affected the implementation of learning activities at all levels of education. In order to minimize the risk of transmission of the corona virus, during the pandemic teaching and learning activities are carried out remotely via online. and the application of these learning methods requires the support of internet access ordered to provide internet access quota assistance to students and teachers to support the implementation of distance learning. Yaqut said that the Ministry of Religion plans to propose an additional Rp243 billion budget to the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) to support the implementation of educational activities. billion," he said.

In addition to providing internet access package assistance, the Ministry of Religion provides waivers in the payment of single tuition fees (UKT) for students of state religious universities (PTKN). The reliefs provided include a reduction in the amount of single tuition fees and an extension of the time for UKT payments. In addition, students are allowed to pay UKT in installments. The Director General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religion M. Ali Ramdani explained, the government provides UKT waivers to PTKN students in an effort to minimize the risk of students dropping out due to cost problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. ensure the smooth payment of UKT and minimize the dropout rate for students at PTKN," he said.