A College in Bali accepts coconuts and leaves as tuition

In March 2020, the Venus One Tourism Academy implemented a program that accepts tuition payments in the form of moringa leaves, gotu kola plants and coconuts as a tuition payments for those students who are affected by the COVID-19

In a source form FOOD & WINE, Venus One Tourism Academy director, Wayan Pasek Adi Putra told Bali Puspa, a local news publication that “Initially, the tuition payment scheme was paid in installments three times, with the first installment at 50% [of the total], the second 20%, and the third 30%,”

“Because of this Covid pandemic, we have adapted a flexible policy. We produce virgin coconut oil, so students can pay their tuition by bringing coconuts.”

Wayan Pasek added.

Aside from coconut, the academy also accpets moringa leaves and gotu kola leaves – a culinary and medicinal plant. The coconut oil and assorted leaves will be the ingredients to produce herbal soap products that can be sold to raise money for the school.

Mr. Wayan Pasek stated that the school received permission by the Gianyar Employment Agency to operate for the students to sell their products.

“We have to educate them to optimize the natural resources in their surroundings,” Wayan Pasek continued. “When the pandemic is over, they will enter the world of hospitality with different skills.” – Wayan Pasek concluded.

However due to the pandemic, those students who are coming from the area with highest cases of COVID-19 are not allowed to attend lectures as a precautionary measure. While the rest of the students will take rotational shifts in attending classes following health protocols (temperature checks, mask-wearing and extra sanitation.

This method have not only helped student in financial terms but have also enhanced the student’s entrepreneurial skills that they will be able to use as they step into the real world.