CCN, Cilegon – In commemoration of National Education Day 2024, the Department of Education and Culture of Cilegon City held the ‘National Education Day Celebration’. This event was part of the Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) initiative initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The event was celebrated with enthusiasm at the Mayor of Cilegon’s Official Residence on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
National Education Day (Hardiknas) 2024 was celebrated vibrantly, featuring various art performances by champion students from the National Arts Week (FLS2N) at the elementary and junior high school levels, educational achievements presentations, and an SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) Bazaar.
The event was attended by several key figures including Mayor of Cilegon Helldy Agustian, Secretary of Cilegon City, Vice Chairman of the Cilegon City DPRD (Regional People’s Representative Council), Cilegon City Prosecutor’s Office, Head of the Central OJK (Financial Services Authority), Provincial Navy Commander (Danlanal), as well as local government officials (Forkopimda) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of Cilegon. Also present were heads of city departments (OPD), Head of the Department of Education and Culture, and supervisors from Cilegon, as well as school principals and teachers from elementary, junior high, and high schools across Cilegon.
In his address, Mayor Helldy Agustian praised the commitment of the Department of Education in supporting the Merdeka Belajar program. He explained that the Merdeka Belajar curriculum has been implemented in over 140,000 educational institutions across Indonesia, enabling hundreds of thousands of Indonesian children to learn in a better and more enjoyable way.
One of the latest innovations is the ‘Gerakan Sekole Maning Lur’ program, aimed at reintegrating out-of-school children back into the education system. Since its launch, the program has successfully reintegrated 305 out of 428 documented out-of-school children, with support from Community Learning Centers (PKBM) and related agencies.
Helldy also highlighted the crucial role of teachers in enhancing educational quality. “Through this momentum, we are uniting efforts to improve the quality of education in Cilegon City. Teachers not only teach but also serve as mentors, guides, and role models for their students. Therefore, we have increased teacher allowances in border areas and remote areas in Cilegon City as a form of appreciation,” he said.
Meanwhile, H. Heni Susila Anita, Head of the Department of Education and Culture of Cilegon City, explained that the event aimed to strengthen commitment to quality education as the foundation for developing quality human beings and communities. The event also highlighted challenges in education, such as access disparities and educational gaps.
“Education is every child’s right and is crucial in building a good Human Resources (HR). Therefore, we have developed policies and commitments related to the ‘Gerakan Sekole Maning Lur (GSML)’ program,” said Heni.
The Mayor also reaffirmed his commitment to education as a step towards improving educational access in the region. He emphasized the importance of education in transforming family economies and reducing unemployment rates in the city.
The event was attended by more than 700 guests from various educational institutions and the general public. This celebration served as a momentum to celebrate the crucial role of education in nation-building, while inspiring the community to continue advancing in supporting quality education. (***)
