The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has once again given an award to the Banyuwangi Regency Government. This was given for its consistency in revitalizing the Using language.

The award at the 2025 National Mother Language Festival (FBIN) in Jakarta, Monday (26/5/2025), was received by Banyuwangi for the second time. This time, it was presented directly by the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Atip Latipulhayat and witnessed directly by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti.

“The Using language is one of Banyuwangi’s identities that we continue to maintain. This award is a form of appreciation as well as motivation to continue developing it,” said Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani.

The central government’s efforts to preserve the mother tongue, added Ipuk, are in line with the vision it has developed in Banyuwangi. Through the Cultural Roadmap, Banyuwangi Regency has ratified Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture.

“We do planning, budgeting and implementing it in various policies,” explained Ipuk.

The 2025 Regional Language Revitalization Award was presented to 44 other regional heads throughout Indonesia. This award is part of the regional language revitalization program initiated by the Language Development and Fostering Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture, which this year targets 114 regional languages ​​and dialects in 38 provinces.

Head of the Banyuwangi Regency Education Office Suratno, who represented the Banyuwangi Regent to receive the award, said that this was based on a proposal from the East Java Provincial Language Center. “Banyuwangi meets the three main assessment indicators that have been determined,” said Suratno.

The three indicators, added Suratno, start from the regulatory side, budgeting to program implementation. In addition to the Cultural Advancement Roadmap, Banyuwangi has also issued Regent Regulation Number 69 of 2003, concerning the Implementation of Local Content in Osing Language in Elementary Education (SD and SMP) in Banyuwangi.

“Teachers in Banyuwangi are also trained with the Using language master triner activity. Several festivals are also held to support. Such as the Using Language Literacy Festival, Padang Ulanan Festival, Gendhing Using Festival and so on,” he concluded. (*)