From Villages to the Spotlight: LEC 2026 Grand Final

Published on May 19, 2026

From Villages to the Spotlight: LEC 2026 Grand Final

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They started in classrooms scattered across the villages and towns of Barito Kuala. Now, they a;re heading for the spotlight. The LearningRoom English Competition (LEC) 2026, a digital-first English language contest organized by the Barito Kuala District Education Office in partnership with LearningRoom, is gearing up for its Grand Final — a live, in-person showdown scheduled for May 25, 2026, at Aula Selidah, Marabahan.

More than a competition, LEC 2026 is a celebration of the region's brightest young minds — students who have already proven themselves in English proficiency, creativity, communication, and confidence. Sixty-two junior high schools (SMP) from across Barito Kuala joined the competition, with thousands of students participating throughout the selection process.

Building Confidence, One Stage at a Time

What sets LEC 2026 apart from traditional competitions is its fully digital approach to the preliminary rounds. All early-stage selections were conducted online through the LearningRoom platform — a move that not only made participation more accessible across remote areas but also gave students meaningful, real-world practice using English in interactive settings.

This year's edition features three main categories: English Academic Quiz (Cerdas Cermat), Creative Performance (Speech & Storytelling), and Singing Contest.

Mas Aryansyah, S.ST., M.Kom., Head of the Barito Kuala District Education Office, underlined the competition's role in driving a broader shift in how learning is approached in the region.

"This isn't just a competition — it's part of our strategy to encourage students to learn more actively and feel confident using English in real situations. It also shows that digital learning can truly work, even in regional areas," he said.

The impact has been felt in classrooms too. Accompanying teachers report noticeable improvements in student participation, willingness to perform in front of others, and overall self-confidence — changes that go beyond competition prep and reflect genuine growth in learning attitudes.

Meet the Grand Finalists

Here are the students and schools that have earned their spots at the LEC 2026 Grand Final:

Category 1: English Academic Quiz

SMP Negeri 1 Tamban

Noor Rahimah
Syabana
Maulida

SMP Negeri 2 Alalak

Muhammad Rizky
Raisa Rahmadaniah
Reva Novita

SMP Negeri 1 Alalak

Tiara Agustina Azma
Aulia Rahma Al Zahra
Anjel

SMP Negeri 2 Marabahan

Mahyuni
Helmia Widyasari
Adelia

SMP Negeri 4 Alalak

M Fikri Hamdillah
Muhammad Fatih
Yumna Rezqina Maulidea Nurbila

SMP Negeri 2 Anjir Muara

Rahimatun Nufus
Muhyar
Radiani

Category 2: Creative Performance

Storytelling

Keyra Ameera Shafa — SMP GIBS
Muhammad Zaini — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak
Dasthan Alfath Alguera — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak

Speech

Muhammad Bakhiet — SMP Negeri 1 Tabukan
Amira Anis Farhana — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak
Helda Anastasia Zaleha — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak

Category 3: Singing Contest

M Luthfi Rahman — SMP Negeri Satap 4 Rantau Badauh
Siti Nur Maisya — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak
Aqillah Zhafira Putri Gunardi — SMP Negeri 1 Marabahan
Bintang Angelica Putri Tuntisio — SMP GIBS
Zavyra Putri Nurlaely — SMP Negeri 2 Alalak
Naila Khaira Aninda — SMP Negeri 4 Alalak

More Than a Trophy: A Stage for Growth

The LEC 2026 Grand Final is about far more than crowning champions. It's a platform where Barito Kuala's most talented students get to showcase not just their English skills, but their creativity, courage, and character — in front of an audience that recognizes and values their efforts.

By blending digital learning tools with the excitement of live performance, LEC aims to create an experience that stays with students long after the event — one that builds the kind of global readiness that today's young generation needs.

With strong enthusiasm from participants and broad support from educators and local government alike, the LEC 2026 Grand Final is set to be a landmark moment — not just for the students competing, but for the future of technology-driven education across Barito Kuala.

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