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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Yogyakarta's High College Enrollment Rate Masked by Economic Gaps

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Yogyakarta's college enrollment rate has reached 46 percent.
  • However, 30.9 percent of students continuing their education are considered vulnerable to poverty.
  • Officials are urging for better allocation of special funds to expand educational access and provide scholarships.

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) boasts a high college enrollment rate of 46 percent, yet this achievement is overshadowed by economic disparities. A significant portion, approximately 30.9 percent of students pursuing higher education, face economic vulnerability and are at risk of poverty.

This is my concern. So, a sharp increase of 46 percent, but shadowed by 30 percent vulnerable to poverty. This needs attention.

— RB Dwi Wahyu BudiantoroExpressing concern about the economic vulnerability of students despite high enrollment rates.

RB Dwi Wahyu Budiantoro, head of Commission D of the DIY Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), expressed concern over this gap. He advocates for a more targeted allocation of the Special Autonomy Fund (Danais) to broaden educational opportunities, including through scholarship programs for DIY residents.

"This is my concern. So, a sharp increase of 46 percent, but shadowed by 30 percent vulnerable to poverty. This needs attention," Dwi stated during an education discussion forum in Yogyakarta on Wednesday. He believes Danais has not yet reached the education sector equitably and hopes it can be used to strengthen access to education and support the welfare of educators. DIY currently faces a shortage of around 1,600 high school teachers.

I hope the special autonomy fund once again supports the existence of education, even talking about teacher welfare. We are still short of 1,600 high school teachers today.

— RB Dwi Wahyu BudiantoroHighlighting the need for special funds to support education and address teacher shortages.

Dwi emphasized that access to higher education is not solely about students' desire to attend college but also hinges on families' economic capacity. He called for more comprehensive data on DIY residents pursuing higher education and those high school graduates unable to continue to university. "With such data, scholarship policies and budget interventions can be more precise. Even with a limited budget, the education sector is expected to provide solutions," he added.

With such data, scholarship policies and budget interventions can be more precise. Even with a limited budget, the education sector is expected to provide solutions.

— RB Dwi Wahyu BudiantoroStressing the importance of data for targeted educational policies and solutions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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