Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education develops sustainable science talent through National Science Olympiad
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) is supporting the sustainable development of scientific talent through the organisation of the National Science Olympiad (OSN) at the secondary education level.
Carrying the spirit of sustainable science talent development, OSN Dikmen 2026 serves as a platform for students to actualise their scientific abilities, build character, and expand self-development opportunities up to the international level.
Secretary-General of Kemendikdasmen, Suharti, stated in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that the OSN is part of the effort to discover, develop, and actualise student talent. “OSN is a space to discover, develop, and actualise student talent, and this spirit forms the basis of our student talent management,” said Suharti.
She noted that 540 finalists from 28 provinces and one Indonesian School Overseas (SILN) in Japan have successfully qualified for the national level. They will compete in nine disciplines: astronomy, biology, economics, physics, geography, informatics/computer science, earth sciences, chemistry, and mathematics.
Suharmati also emphasised that achievements attained through the OSN should be viewed as an initial step to open wider opportunities for self-development and education for the participants. “OSN is not merely about winning medals; through continuous coaching, the best-performing participants will have the opportunity to represent Indonesia in international science olympiads and gain educational development opportunities through the Indonesia Talent Scholarship selection process,” she said.
On the same occasion, the Head of the National Achievement Centre (Puspresnas) of Kemendikdasmen, Maria Veronica Irene Herdjiono, stated that the participation of secondary education science talent in OSN 2026 has increased. She reported that the number of applicants reached 297,955, a 12.33 per cent increase compared to the 265,251 participants in 2025.
This increase demonstrates the expanding participation of SMA/MA/SMK/MAK/equivalent students from 38 provinces and overseas Indonesian schools worldwide in this talent development event for research and innovation. “This means that the level of competition in the OSN is increasing every year. It is extraordinary that these students have reached the final stage,” said Irene.
In addition to the nine science disciplines, Puspresnas is also collaborating with Cakrawala University to organise the Artificial Intelligence Competition Exhibition (EKKA) for the second year. She noted that EKKA 2026 recorded a 72.01 per cent increase in applicants, rising from 1,347 participants in 2025 to 2,317 participants from 37 provinces in 2026. This initiative is part of the expansion of opportunities for students to actualise their talents in the field of artificial intelligence.
Irene explained that student talent development does not end with winning medals. Kemendikdasmen continues to prepare various opportunities for high-achieving students to develop their skills and continue their journey of achievement. “It is not just about medals or development funds, but also a series of continuous achievement development efforts,” said Irene.