If the children just graduated SMA, they cannot compete. They need more specific knowledge to compete in the workplace

Jakarta Provincial Government is going to change the acceptance system of Jakarta Smart Card (KJP). Eventually, the education cost will be given to the college level with scholarship scheme. But it cannot be imposed yet because there is currently no legal protection.

Acting Jakarta Governor, Basuki 'Ahok' T Purnama disclosed KJP program does not provide a positive output on the competitiveness among underprivileged students. The reason is, they receive educational aid using KJP program only until senior high school (SMA) or equivalent.

Afterwards, they can no longer continue their education to a higher level, college. "If the children just graduated SMA, they cannot compete. They need more specific knowledge to compete in the workplace," he stated, at City Hall, Monday (7/21).

He promised to finalize regulation in the bylaw regulating such plan. The bylaw discusses the mechanism of the granting scholarships until bachelor (S1). "It aims to strengthen the existing KJP," he uttered.

According to him, change in KJP mechanism to face the demographic 2025 where at that moment, this nation should prepare a human resources that are competitive with the better knowledge and skills. Remaining 10 years can be used to form the next generation ready for compete in the business world.

Such rule is made to distribute the KJP timely. Basuki continued, its implementation has not maximized. Moreover for the 2014 KJP funds cannot be disbursed by the Financial Management Board (BPKD). The allocated budget reached Rp 723 billion to 575,670 students.

KJP recipient would be selected strictly and conducted by each school. "We do selection, whether they intend to continue their education or not. By so, we can know those who like smoking, fighting, etc, so we just cross out them from list. If the new KJP has been distributed, the requirement is relief letter (SKTM) card to urban village," he said.

Head of Jakarta Education Department, Lasro Marbun added that his department is still studying procedures and scholarships disbursement technical until S1 for Jakartans. In future, Jakarta government programs in education sector will make ​​public or students as subject, instead of object. This means people who have the financial ability and able to finance scholarships for underprivileged children must be empowered.