REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Smart Indonesia Card (KIP) program launched by President Joko Widodo on Monday will encourage dropout students to return to school, Culture, Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Anies Baswedan said.

"Many children drop out of school because they don't have the money (to pay for their tuition), but the Smart Indonesia Card program will allow them to go back to school," the minister stated here on Monday (3/11).

Baswedan added that providing incentives to dropouts was very important to encourage them to return to school.

"In the past, schoolchildren who dropped out as they did not have money were not given the opportunity to return to school again. However, they now have the chance to re-enroll with the KIP scheme," he explained.

The initiator of the Indonesia Teaching Movement, he further noted that the KIP was different from the Poor Students Assistance (BSM) program.

"The BSM is given only to students who are still enrolled, while the KIP is granted to both school-age students and dropouts," the minister said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi said here on Monday that the provision of numerous cards, including the Indonesia Health Card and Smart Indonesia Card, to disadvantaged people across the country was the first step towards improving their welfare.

"This is just the first step towards improving their welfare," President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, stated while launching the Indonesia Health Card and Smart Indonesia Card at the Central Post Office on Monday.

He pointed out that improving public health services at hospitals and public health clinics were among measures to be taken in this regard.

The president added that the distribution of these cards was expected to reach 19 districts/municipalities and nine provinces by the end of 2014.

The head of state also explained that funding for non-cash assistance programs in the future will be increased and is expected to reach all provinces in the country.

In keeping with this goal, he urged the public to make proper use of these cards.

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