DEWI SARTIKA

One of the most famous female

figures in Indonesia is Dewi
Sartika. She is also known
as Djuragan Dewi or Djuragan
Ageung is a national hero in the
world of women’s education.
Dewi Sartika was born on
December 4th, 1884 in Cicalengka,
Bandung. Her father named Raden
Somanagara was a freedom
fighter at that time. While her
mother was Nyi Raden
Rajapermas.
Her parents were fighting hard to
send him to the School of the
Netherlands. Although it is so
contrary to traditional culture
prevailing at the time.
For opposing the Government of the Netherlands East Indies, her mother was
exiled to Ternate, while her father died. So, Dewi Sartika brought up by her
maternal uncle, a brother of her mom, who called Arya. At that time, Arya
was a governor in Cicalengka.
Dewi Sartika gained the knowledge about the Sundanese culture of her uncle.
She was also knowledgeable of Western culture that she got from a lady of
Dutch Resident Assistant.
She showed her potential in the world of education as a child. In fact, she
taught children of kepatihanmaid, so they were all able to read and write a
few words in Dutch.
This made Cicalengka in an uproar. People felt shocked because at that time
there had been no rabble of children who can read and write.
As a teenager, Dewi Sartika was back to Bandung and stayed with her mother.
She was more determined to reach her goal, which was to establish a school
that aims to promote women’s education.
After a very long struggle, she finally managed to establish a school that is
devoted to women. Then, on January 16, 1904, after consultation with the
Regent R.A.A Martanagara, for the first time, she managed to open a school.
The school was given the name of Sakola Istri or Sekolah Perempuan. Sakola
Istri was the first school in the Dutch East Indies, it was originally only had 20
students.
Sakola Istri was located in Bandung district hall, she was helped by two
cousins, Ny. Poerwa and Nyi. Oewid.
At the top, in 1912, she had 9 Sakola Istri in Pasundan. In 1914, Sakola Istri
was renamed Sakola Kautamaan Istri (School of Virtue Women). Exactly in
1920 the whole region of Pasundan owned Sakola Kautamaan Istri.
In September 1929, when Sakola Kautamaan Istri was 25 years, the school
became the Sakola Raden Dewi. As for her dedication in this field, she was
awarded by the Indian – Dutch government.
Dewi Sartika died on September 11th, 1947 in Tasikmalaya. She was buried in
the funeral Cigagadon Rahayu Village District of Cincem. Finally, after 3 years
his tomb was moved to a cemetery complex Regent of Bandung at Karang
Anyar Street, Bandung regency.
Struggle as well as her dedication to the nation of Indonesia, made her an
honorary degree, and were given on December 1st 1966 as the National
Independence Hero.