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URABAYA: The East Java administration has allocated Rp 185 billion (US$18.5 million) from its 2010 budget for students at Islamic schools in the province.

The fund is aimed at improving the qualification standards of Islamic school students to be on par with those at public schools, as well as human resource development and raising the education standard.

After signing a memorandum of understanding with 34 Islamic higher learning institutes across the province, East Java Governor Soekarwo said the scholarship would be awarded to 763,160 students in elementary Islamic schools and 148,750 at junior high Islamic schools.

Students will receive between Rp 15,000 and Rp 20,000 per month.