Medan City Helps 278 Students Retrieve Diplomas Amid Financial Hurdles

The city government of Medan, Indonesia, is implementing the 'Diploma Retrieval Program' (Program Tebus Ijazah) to assist elementary and junior high school graduates who face difficulties in obtaining their diplomas due to financial reasons. This initiative, conceived by Medan Mayor Rico Waas and Deputy Mayor Zakiyuddin Harahap, aims to support 1,000 beneficiaries by 2026. According to data from the Medan City Education and Culture Office, 278 students from underprivileged families have so far received this assistance. The number of recipients is expected to continue growing as data verification processes are ongoing until the end of the year. Mayor Waas explained that the program is specifically designed for students and alumni of elementary and junior high schools who have completed their studies but whose diplomas are being held by schools due to unpaid educational fees, which their families cannot afford to settle owing to economic limitations. Financial assistance is disbursed based on official proof of outstanding payments submitted by the schools. This facility covers arrears in tuition fees (SPP) and other educational support costs. The Medan City government has set a maximum assistance limit of Rp2.5 million (approximately USD 160) per student recipient. The financing scheme is provided directly according to the amount of arrears recorded in the school's administration. Through this budgetary intervention, the Medan City government settles all financial obligations of the registered alumni. This step is taken to ensure that the diploma documents, which are the students' rightful property, can be promptly handed over. The possession of a diploma is crucial for graduates to pursue higher education and is a primary requirement for other administrative purposes after completing their schooling. Information Source: CNN Indonesia