NTT Earthquake: Indonesia to cover tuition for 5,000 students

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry has pledged to cover one semester of tuition fees for 5,000 university students affected by the magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Aug. 15.

Minister Brian Yuliarto announced the educational assistance on Wednesday (Aug. 26) during a visit to a disaster relief post run by the Catholic University of St. Paul in Ruteng, Manggarai District, NTT, according to a statement cited here on Thursday.

“The big family of the Higher Education Ministry, along with the entire academic community, would like to extend our condolences for the disaster in NTT. We will provide assistance equivalent to one semester of tuition fees for 5,000 students in the initial phase,” he said.

Yuliarto explained that the tuition exemption, which may be extended for another semester, is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the deadly disaster does not hinder learning activities.

He added that the assistance stems from the ministry’s recognition of the importance of easing the economic burden on households struggling with hardship caused by the earthquake and enabling students to continue pursuing their education despite the situation.

On that note, the minister emphasized that his office also stands ready to provide assistance to families of NTT students currently pursuing education outside the province.

“Together with local governments and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, our ministry will continue striving to provide assistance tailored to the needs and priorities of residents,” Yuliarto remarked.

Reaffirming support throughout the emergency, Yuliarto stressed that the ministry would continue updating data on quake-affected students, coordinating with higher education institutions, and identifying the needs of communities and universities.

The minister also expressed appreciation to universities that have actively contributed to ongoing disaster-response operations by facilitating logistics distribution and setting up supporting facilities. He noted the ministry’s commitment to consolidating universities and colleges to support the recovery of NTT.