World

Indonesia to expand free schooling for poor students at private schools

The administration of Jakarta, Indonesia, plans to arrange for students from low-income families to attend up to 1,000 private schools for free in the next academic year, aiming to prevent them from dropping out because of financial problems amid the limited number of public schools.

Jakarta (VNA) - The administration of Jakarta, Indonesia, plans to arrange for students from low-income families to attend up to 1,000 private schools for free in the next academic year, aiming to prevent them from dropping out because of financial problems amid the limited number of public schools.

Jhonny Simanjuntak, member of the Jakarta regional Legislative Council Commission overseeing education, noted the policy whereby poor students can be admitted to privately owned educational institutions without having to spend any money has already been implemented in 406 junior and senior high schools this year.

He added that the city is set to expand the number of schools involved in the coming year.

The move is believed to be feasible since those private schools are receiving school operational assistance (BOS) funds from the Jakarta administration.

Data from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture in 2022 revealed that Jakarta had the highest drop-out rate among students across the country, at over 75,000. Meanwhile, it was allocated the highest regional budget of around 76 trillion Rp (4.85 billion USD) in the same year.

Jakarta, home to over 10 million people, has a total of 8,868 schools. However, only 2,007 of them are public schools that largely exempt students from paying admission or monthly and yearly fees./.

VNA
#Jakarta #Indonesia #free schooling #poor students #private schools #Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture #public schools Indonesia
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

​Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadew (Photo: VNA)

S&P retains Indonesia's BBB credit rating with stable outlook

According to S&P, Indonesia's economic fundamentals remain solid thanks to prudent fiscal and monetary policies, political stability, relatively low public debt compared with other countries in the same rating category, and positive medium-term growth prospects.

A port in Singapore. The country's GDP expanded by 5.7% year-on-year in the April–June period, easing from the 6.3% growth recorded in the first quarter (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Singapore's economic growth slows amid Middle East conflict

Singapore's core inflation remained unchanged at 1.4% in May from the previous month. However, economists warned that persistently high energy prices could continue to push up production and transportation costs, as well as the prices of imported goods, posing risks to the country's economic growth outlook.

Thailand dismantles online gambling ring linked to World Cup 2026

Thailand dismantles online gambling ring linked to World Cup 2026

The bureau’s investigation targeted the "All Game 248" gambling website, which allegedly accepted bets on the FIFA World Cup 2026 and had been operating for about 18 months. During the operation, codenamed "All Game End Game," authorities arrested 12 suspects, including a former local politician, and the seizure of assets worth more than 13 million THB (418,000 USD).

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo:VNA)

Four key risks cloud Malaysia's economic outlook in H2 2026

The report identified prolonged global supply chain disruptions, a stronger US dollar, rising political uncertainty ahead of a possible early general election, and the proposed expansion of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI as the key risks.

Thailand, Malaysia launch new Sadao border checkpoint

Thailand, Malaysia launch new Sadao border checkpoint

The new Sadao Border Checkpoint, located in the Sadao Special Economic Development Zone, is Thailand's busiest land crossing by trade value, handling more than 471.5 billion THB (14 billion USD) in annual imports and exports and serving more than 6 million cross-border travellers each year.

Passengers wait to handle procedures at Nugah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia. (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia tightens visa-free entry policy

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen immigration management through digitalisation and enhanced screening of foreign nationals upon entry.

Malaysia propels semiconductor industry

Malaysia propels semiconductor industry

Speaking at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur on July 13, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports rose 39.7% year-on-year to 382.9 billion MYR (95.7 billion USD) in the first five months of 2026, or 48.2% of the country's total exports.

Officials at the closing sitting of the 10th Lao NA's first extraordinary session on July 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Laos adopts coordinated steps to propel economic growth

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, addressing the first extraordinary session of the 10th Lao National Assembly from July 6-10, said the push is designed to hit the economic growth targets and macroeconomic benchmarks approved by the legislature.

Indonesia launches campaign to protect endangered rainforest elephants

Indonesia launches campaign to protect endangered rainforest elephants

Conservation groups classify the Sumatran elephant as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, while Bornean elephant populations have declined sharply because of deforestation, habitat fragmentation and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

The scence of the fire. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Massive pub fire in Thailand kills at least 27 people

Video footage shared online by emergency responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. Many people were seen trying to flee as dense black smoke billowed into the sky. Rescue said the fire was reported around midnight.