Expand free schooling, Banten Governor receives KWP 2026 award
Serang (ANTARA) - Banten Governor Andra Soni received an award as a regional head who cares and focuses on improving education and public services at the Koordinatoriat Wartawan Parlemen (KWP) Awards 2026 in Jakarta on Thursday.
Through his statement in Serang on Thursday, Andra Soni said that the education sector is one of the priority programmes during his leadership. This has been outlined in the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) 2025-2030 to create superior human resources (SDM) and to open up education access as widely as possible for the people of Banten.
“We thank you, the efforts that have been made have received appreciation from our KWP colleagues,” said Andra after receiving the award, which was directly handed over by KWP Chairman Ariawan at the Gedung Pustakaloka Nusantara 4 DPR/MPR RI building on Thursday.
He explained that since taking office as governor, his side has implemented a policy of free private schooling for high school (SMA), vocational high school (SMK), and special education school (SKh) levels. This year, the tuition fee exemption programme will be expanded to cover private Madrasah Aliyah (MA) levels.
“This award becomes our motivation to remain consistent, to continue opening up equitable education access for school-age children in Banten,” he added.
“Thus, by strengthening education access, Banten will advance further, with equitable distribution and no corruption,” he stated.
The KWP Awards 2026 is an annual award from journalists assigned to parliament. The assessment is based on objective and professional reviews by panellists over the past year. In addition to the Banten Governor, awards in various categories were also given to six other regional heads in Indonesia, DPR and MPR leaders, DPD, party factions, legislators, as well as ministries and institutions.
KWP Awards 2026 Executive Chairman Sofyan said that this appreciation is given for the dedication and contributions of state organisers in addressing various issues in the midst of society.
“We understand that fieldwork is full of challenges. Therefore, through objective assessments from the jury board from various professional backgrounds, we give appreciation for such high dedication,” said Sofyan.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Skala Survei Indonesia (SSI) and KWP Award Panellist Chairman Abdul Hakim assessed that this award is important to honour figures who work with full devotion, oriented towards success, but not always in the spotlight.
“We see many aspects that are not much highlighted but play a very large role in maintaining national stability. Behind every harmony, there is unshowcased sacrifice. We see that, dedication that is considered ordinary but very determining,” said Hakim.