Kemendikdasmen: National Science Olympiad Participants Reach 716,000

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Achievement Centre (Puspresnas) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has reported a growing enthusiasm among students for the National Science Olympiad at the District/City Level (OSN-K), with total participation exceeding 716,000 for primary and junior secondary levels. Head of Puspresnas Maria Veronica Irene Herdjiono stated that the figure comprises 418,918 participants from the SD/MI (primary school) level and 297,955 from the SMP/MTs (junior secondary school) level. “This increase in participation demonstrates a growing passion for learning and a love of science among students. We hope the OSN-K becomes a means to develop the best potential of learners while building honest, disciplined, and resilient character,” Irene said in Jakarta on Sunday. She noted that primary-level OSN-K participants came from 38 provinces and six Indonesian Schools Abroad (SILN) in various countries, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, participation at the junior secondary level rose by 15 per cent. To maintain quality and credibility, the ministry implemented a multi-layered supervision system involving cross-supervisors, monitoring by central and regional committees, live streaming, and documentation from all regions, including frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged areas. Irene explained that this measure aims to ensure the selection process remains transparent, accountable, and objective. The OSN-K results will serve as the basis for determining which participants qualify to advance to the National Science Olympiad at the Provincial Level (OSN-P). Through inclusive and high-integrity implementation, Kemendikdasmen continues to commit to providing a fair and sustainable achievement ecosystem, while opening the widest possible space for the birth of an excellent Indonesian generation in research and innovation.