Medan Education and Culture Festival 2026 Highlights Student Excellence and Innovation

MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, together with Deputy Mayor Zakiyuddin Harahap, attended the Gebyar Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Kota Medan 2026 (Medan Education and Culture Festival 2026). The large-scale event was held at Lapangan Warna-Warni, Jalan Rawe Raya, Martubung, Medan Labuhan, bringing together students, teachers, and city officials in a unified celebration of education and culture.

The city government positioned the festival as a strategic platform to strengthen educational values, cultural awareness, and character development among the younger generation. The program featured a student cultural parade, the signing of a declaration for child-friendly schools, and the recognition of outstanding student achievements.

Cultural Parade Opens the Celebration

The festival officially opened with Mayor Rico Waas and Deputy Mayor Zakiyuddin Harahap launching a vibrant student cultural parade. Around 1,000 students from preschool, elementary, and secondary levels took part, showcasing traditional attire representing the diverse ethnic groups living in Medan.

The parade served as a powerful symbol of unity in diversity, reflecting the city's commitment to fostering tolerance and cultural harmony through education. From early morning, the venue was filled with a lively atmosphere as parents, teachers, and residents gathered to witness the colorful celebration.

Rico Waas Emphasizes a "Winning Mentality" for Students

In his remarks, Rico Waas expressed confidence that students in Medan possess strong potential to compete at both national and international levels. He highlighted that recent academic achievements demonstrate the continuous progress of the city's education system.

"The children of Medan are competitive. I believe they have a winning mentality and will grow into future leaders capable of driving meaningful change," he stated.

He also emphasized the crucial role of teachers in shaping student character and academic success, while underscoring ongoing city investments in modern learning methods, improved educational infrastructure, and inclusive education policies.

Educational Innovation and Student Recognition

Following the parade, the mayor engaged directly with students across various education levels in an interactive and motivational session on stage, fostering a closer connection between government and the younger generation.

Together with the deputy mayor and the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), he officially launched Medan's 2026 educational innovation programs through a symbolic button-pressing ceremony, marking the beginning of new reform initiatives in the education sector.

The event also honored numerous students for outstanding achievements. According to Laksamana Putra Siregar, Acting Head of the Medan Education and Culture Office, the festival serves as a platform for creativity, talent development, and academic recognition.

He further noted that average results from the 2026 academic competency assessments at the secondary level in Medan are above both provincial and national averages. Notably, 32 students achieved perfect scores of 100.

The initiative forms part of the city government's long-term strategy to build a holistic education system that integrates academic excellence, cultural identity, and character development. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala

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