"The government allocates support funds for Islamic boarding schools and religious education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic through the pesantren economic recovery program," the minister noted at the National Santri Day commemoration event in Jakarta on Thursday. Santri is a student of Islamic school.
Indrawati expounded that the assistance, amounting to Rp2.38 trillion, encompassed facilitating educational operations ranging from Islamic boarding schools and Madrasah Diniyah Takmiliyah to Al-Quran educational institutions (LPA).
Assistance of Rp211.7 billion is intended for online learning assistance for pesantren for a period of three months.
The minister elaborated that each pesantren, based on its size, will receive assistance: around 14,900 small-sized pesantren, each offered Rp25 million; some four thousand medium-sized pesantren, each given Rp40 million of aid; and 2,200 large-sized pesantren offered Rp50 million each.
Furthermore, education operational assistance of Rp10 million each for 62 thousand Madrasah Diniyah and Rp10 million for each Quran educational institution, numbering some 112 thousand.
Meanwhile, the government offers incentives for teachers, clerics, and caretakers of Islamic boarding schools through social and development assistance or improvements to infrastructure.
Improvements to facilities and infrastructure, include ablution places, sinks, and facilities for washing hands for 100 Islamic boarding schools in 10 provinces in Indonesia.
Furthermore, the government continues to help provide access to finance Islamic school students in the context of conducting productive businesses, specifically through the People's Business Credit (KUR).
"We are optimistic that the students would be able to use it to finance productive businesses by accessing KUR financing at the nearest branch offices, including those serving sharia," she added.
Related news: Santri Day commemoration expected to offer momentum to maintain unity
Related news: State budget deficit reached Rp682.1 trillion until Sept : Minister
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Astrid F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
