Religious Affairs Ministry Provides 3.1 Million Scholarships

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian ministry of religious affairs provides 3.1 million scholarships for students of Islamic elementary schools (Madrasah Ibtidaiyah), Islamic junior high schools (Madrasah Tsnawiyah) and Islamic senior high schools (Madrasah Aliyah). The scholarship program is a pro-poor program and every child coming from under privileged families could receive this scholarship to study in Madrasah (Islamic school), the ministry's Secretary General Bahrul Hayat said as quoted by the Cabinet Secretariat's official website here on Saturday. In addition to the scholarship program, the religious affairs ministry also provides assistance for around 10,000 street children to enroll in Islamic boarding schools. The Indonesian government in cooperation with the Australian government will accelerate the rehabilitation program of 1,500 Islamic schools (Madrasah) throughout Indonesia. The religious affairs ministry carries out certification program for 90,000 Madrasah teachers annually. (*)