We want to ensure that even in emergencies, students’ rights to education are guaranteed..
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Nur Syarifah, an official at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, said the government has guaranteed the continuity of higher education following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The ministry has taken note of various needs conveyed by higher education institutions and will adjust policies to ensure that the learning process can continue.
“The expectations expressed by higher education institutions have been noted by us. We have discussed the need to adapt regulations so that learning can continue,” Syarifah said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Syarifah explained that her office is currently processing assistance for 5,000 students affected by the disaster and considering support for private higher education institutions to help repair learning facilities and laboratories.
To ensure educational continuity, financial assistance is being provided to disaster-affected students receiving the KIP-Kuliah (Smart Indonesia Card for College) scholarship, enabling them to continue their studies amid post-disaster conditions.
Meanwhile, M.Y. Esti Wijayanti, Deputy Chairperson of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR), emphasized the need to ensure that students’ right to education remains protected during emergencies.
“We want to ensure that even in emergencies, students’ rights to education are guaranteed and that they do not drop out,” Wijayanti said.
“It is crucial to expedite the collection of data on affected students across various higher education institutions so that policies and support can be delivered effectively,” she added.
She noted that Commission X also highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders to enable students to continue their education, including through tuition fee relief or waiver schemes for affected students.
Previously, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto prepared one-semester scholarship assistance for students affected by the disaster in NTT.
Yuliarto said the ministry was gathering data on affected students in collaboration with the Higher Education Services Agency (LLDikti) and university rectors in the affected region.
“We will provide scholarships, initially covering one semester, to help alleviate their burden. For the first phase, we will award scholarships to approximately 4,000 to 5,000 individuals identified as affected,” Yuliarto said on August 28.
Related news: Flores aftershocks decline, residents urged to remain vigilant
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2026