Jakarta, July 30, 2026 – Not all long journeys to the national stage begin with a well-equipped practice room or adequate facilities. Some begin with small, daily steps, tireless practice, and the sacrifices few people know about. These stories accompany the finalists of the 2026 Secondary Education Student Competency Competition (LKS), which officially opened in Depok, West Java, on Monday (July 27).
This year, 9,942 participants from across Indonesia participated in the LKS selection process, which runs from school, district/city, to provincial levels. Of these, only 1,121 participants, or approximately one in nine applicants, advanced to the national level. From July 27 to August 1, 2026, they will compete in 37 events and one hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) exhibition as part of an effort to develop superior, adaptive, and globally competitive Indonesian vocational talent.
One of the finalists was Stefaris Woge, an 11th-grade student at SMK Negeri 3 Nabire, Central Papua, who competed in the Cable Networks category. Stefaris walks about an hour to school every day. He lives with his aunt in Nabire, while his mother earns a living selling noken (traditional bamboo baskets) in Timika.
When his teacher informed him that he had the opportunity to represent Central Papua in the national LKS (Student Activity Unit), an obstacle arose that nearly ruined his chance to participate in LKS 2026. Stefaris's cell phone was broken, making it difficult for the teacher to contact him. To ensure her son could follow the entire preparation process until his departure to Jakarta, his mother set aside some of her earnings from selling noken (woven bamboo baskets) to repair the phone. "I'm so happy to be in Jakarta and participate in this event," Stefaris said with a laugh.
Natanael, a participant in the Heavy Equipment Engineering LKS (Learning for Work) program from Palu, Central Sulawesi, also faced a significant struggle. While undergoing his field work experience (PKL), he received news that he had been selected to represent his school in the national LKS. To prepare, he had to temporarily suspend his six-month internship. This decision meant he would likely have to repeat the internship the following semester.
Marvel Anugerah from Tanah Toraja, South Sulawesi, experienced something similar. In order to participate in intensive training for the LKS (Certificate of Excellence), he also had to temporarily suspend his internship. His father works as a palm oil harvest foreman in Kalimantan, while his mother is a housewife. For him, the opportunity to stand on the national stage is not only about achieving success, but also about making his family proud, who have supported him every step of the way.
Amidst their busy training schedules, the finalists also strive to implement the 7 Habits of Great Indonesian Children (7KAIH), such as waking up early, praying, exercising, eating healthy and nutritious food, studying diligently, being social, and going to bed early. As the national competition approaches, some participants admit to still struggling to maintain consistent exercise and going to bed early due to the increasing intensity of training. They recognize that achievement and health must go hand in hand, so they continue to strive for balance as they prepare for the competition.
The Director General of Secondary and Special Education, Tatang Muttaqin, stated that all participants who successfully reached the national level have proven their quality and perseverance through a lengthy selection process. "In truth, my children have reached the national level, meaning they have won at the provincial level. What's far more important is how this has become a learning experience, an opportunity to build networks and broaden horizons, as well as improve discipline and develop professional character," Tatang said.
The Head of the National Achievement Center, Maria Veronica Irene Herdjiono, said each finalist brings a story of struggle worthy of recognition, as their success is supported by many. "Make the LKS not just a platform for winning medals, but a space for learning, collaboration, networking, and demonstrating that Indonesian vocational talent is capable of competing on a global scale," Irene said.
When the opening gong of the 2026 LKS Dikmen was struck, what began was not just a competition. In that arena, there were also the footsteps of a child from Nabire who travels an hour every day to school, the sacrifices of participants who are willing to cut their internship period, parents who work harder so that their children can still dream, teachers who never tire of guiding, and schools and the industrial world that believe that every Indonesian child has an equal opportunity to be the best.*** (Author: Uly / Documentation: Kemendikdasmen Team)
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