Kemendikdasmen recognises East Kalimantan Provincial Government as best region for SPMB collaboration

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has named the East Kalimantan Provincial Government (Pemprov Kaltim) the best region for the Student Admission System (SPMB) in the 2025-2026 academic year.

“This national education award recognises Pemprov Kaltim’s commitment to partnering with private schools as strategic allies in expanding education access and addressing the limited capacity of public schools,” said East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud in a written statement on Wednesday in Jakarta.

He added that Pemprov Kaltim has focused on both public and private schools across all education levels, including universities. The provincial government continues to promote inclusive education for all children in Benua Etam, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or culture.

Rudy stressed that human resource development is a top priority through education sector transformation and innovation, including flagship free education programmes for Kaltim residents from undergraduate to PhD level.

“Education is the only way to break the poverty cycle,” Rudy emphasised.

He also called on the public to collectively support the advancement of education in East Kalimantan to ensure higher quality and equitable access.

During the Kemendikdasmen award ceremony, Kaltim shared the honour with Central Java Province and Jakarta. For the city government category, Balikpapan City received the award alongside Surabaya and Batam.

The award was presented directly by Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti to Governor Rudy Mas’ud during the National Education Day (Hardiknas) 2026 celebration at the Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Kemendikdasmen Building A, Jakarta, on Monday, 25 May.