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Central Java prioritizes COVID orphans for slots at top state schools
Central Java is prioritizing next year's senior high and vocational school admissions for children who have been orphaned due to COVID-19 as well as children from poor families.
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A student receives a COVID-19 booster dose during a vaccine drive on July 13, 2022 at SMAN 1 Klaten state senior high school in Central Java. (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho)
T
he Central Java administration is prioritizing admissions of students who were orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic for enrolling in the 2022-2023 academic year at top state senior high schools and vocational schools.
Central Java Education and Culture Agency head Uswatun Hasanah said that COVID-19 orphans made up 2 percent of all new students in 2022, citing pandemic figures during the Delta surge in July 2021.
Indonesia reported around 2,000 coronavirus deaths per day during the Delta wave, with hospitals running out of beds and medical oxygen for treating patients.
“If these children are not given special [placement], there is a big possibility that they won’t be able to continue schooling. So this affirmation policy is aimed at reducing dropout rates and ensuring [they get] 12-year basic education,” Uswatun said on Wednesday.
The provincial administration is also prioritizing free enrollment for students from poor families.
According to the Central Java data, the province has so far filled 216,107 out of 217,745 slots at senior high schools and vocational schools.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said the remaining slots would be prioritized for students from low-income families. “If there is room, we will give them the priority,” he added.
