T

he Bekasi administration plans to allocate Rp 15 billion (US$1.1 million) in its draft 2018 budget to pay for university scholarships for underprivileged students, an official has said.

Bekasi Education Agency secretary Inayatullah said on Wednesday that the scholarship program would focus on high school and vocational school graduates who could not afford higher education.

The students, Inayatullah added, can register with the agency if they are Bekasi residents and pass the minimum score required.

“They have the freedom to continue their studies outside Bekasi. The scholarship program is designed to improve the quality of Bekasi residents in facing global competition through the ASEAN Economic Community,” Inayatullah said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

The program, he added, was also aimed at reducing unemployment in the city.

“Nowadays, it is hard enough for university graduates to find a job. It is even harder for high school graduates,” he said.

He said each scholarship recipient would receive Rp 5 million per semester.