NEW OF THE SMART CARD

3,000 Jakarta students to get ‘smart cards’

Jakarta – Fulfilling a campaign promise, new Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo says that he will distribute 3,000 “smart cards” for underprivileged students next month.

As part of the program, 10,766 senior high school and vocational school students will each receive Rp 240,000 (US$24) per month for one year to cover their personal expenses related to education.

Senior high schools students are being prioritized as younger students get free education.

The Jakarta Education Agency is currently collecting data of students entitled to the smart cards. “They will be distributed evenly,” Education Agency head Taufik Yudi Mulyanto said on Wednesday.

The ‘smart card’ will look like an ATM card with a student’s full name written on it and a PIN number. (kes)