S Kalimantan Governor and Balangan Regent win Dwija Praja Nugraha

South Kalimantan Governor H Syahbirin Noor and Regent Balangan H Ansharuddin show Dwija Praja Nugraha award they have received from President H Joko Widodo. (Antaranews Kalsel/Roly Supriadi)

At this historic moment for the country and nation, Balangan Regent H Ansharuddin also won the Dwija Praja Nugraha award.

Bogor, (Antaranews Kalsel) - At least 50 thousand Indonesian teachers watched South Kalimantan Governor H Sahbirin Noor received the Dwija Praja Nugraha award from President Joko Widodo at the commemoration of National Teacher's Day and the 73rd anniversary of PGRI at the Pakansari Cibinong Stadium in Bogor, West Java, Saturday (1/12 )

Dwija Praja Nugraha is the highest appreciation from teachers who are members of the Republic of Indonesia Teachers Association (PGRI) to regional heads who have a firm commitment to advance the quality of education and strive to improve teacher welfare.

There were 16 regional heads who received the awards, namely two governors, five mayors, and nine regents. The two governors were Uncle Birin, nicknamed the Governor of South Kalimantan, and the Governor of Riau Islands.

Uncle Birin was the only governor on the island of Kalimantan who won the Dwija Praja Nugraha award.

At this historic moment for the country and nation, Balangan Regent H Ansharuddin also won the Dwija Praja Nugraha award.

Whereas the only one from the teacher representative of South Kalimantan was Erni Juraina, a teacher at SMAN 4 Banjarmasin. She won the first prize at the 2018 National Writing Teacher Festival for the Teen Story Category.

General Chair of the PGRI Executive Board Dr. Unifah Rosyidi said that PGRI is a strategic partner of the central government and regional government. PGRI is also responsible for promoting national development.

One form of real support is by giving Dwija Praja Nugraha Award to regional heads who have a high commitment to teachers and education personnel in advancing education development.

President Joko Widodo in his speech thanked all teachers and educators. According to the President, a teacher is the pillar of the nation's foundation that has a strategic role and is instrumental in the progress of the nation.

"One of the professions that become agents of change is a teacher," explained the President.