ARIBAH RAFIDAH

201941500266
EDUCATION BIOLOGY (R1D)

Ki Hadjar Dewantara

I choose Ki Hadjar Dewantara because he is a hero from education sector. He is a

founder of institution called “Taman Siswa”. Taman siswa is a place for indigenous who are
want to study like a noble or colonialist. Indigenous haven’t study because of colonization in
Nusantara or Indonesia. Ki Hadjar Dewantara is the one person who fight for education in
Indonesia, he have any struggle for his journey. He have ambitions for development of the
country especially in education sector. He build Taman siswa for improve the nation’s brains in
order to no one foolish people especially indigenous for reach the freedom. Indonesia have
colonization for 3rd century, that’s why Ki Hadjar Dewantara feel tired of his country because the
society have a bad knowledge about anything except the noble or the children of colonialist.
The real name of Ki Hadjar Dewantara is Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat. Since 1922
he known Ki Hadjar Dewantara. He is born on May 2 nd , 1889 in Pakualaman. He was one of
prince from his hometown in Pakualaman which is include of noble class. He is the first minister
of education in President of Soekarno era. His career is begin from a journalist as his job, and
wrote for many newspaper in that era. Various of the newspaper are Sediotomo, Midden Java,
De Express, Oetoesan Indies, Kaoem Moeda, Tjahaja Timoer, and Poesara. He was also a
contributor to Kebangoenan as a nationalist media owned by the dutch educated jurist and
politician.
Besides as a young reporter or journalist he was also active in social and political
organizations. Since the development of Boedi Oetomo, he was active in promote public
awareness of Indonesia as a national unity. He also included in Boedi Oetomo. He is the second
person who appointed as a National Hero of Indonesia by the first President of Indonesia in that
era. In that era, he popular as a great journalist or writer. He died on April 26 1959 when he 69
years old. He was also known as pioneer of education for indigenous in Indonesia while in
colonization’s era.
As you know, he create “Taman Siswa” as an organization for make a smart indigenous.
Based on his struggle for improve the education in Indonesia, in May 2 nd is a day of national
education as his birth date. He is recorded as Father of Education in Indonesia, because he passed
any struggle for maintain his ambitions.
Ki Hadjar Dewantara have 3 famous slogan, there is:
1. Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodho (who is in front of, that’s must give an example)
2. Ing Madya Mangun Karso (who is in the middle, that’s must give a spirit)
3. Tut Wuri Handayani (who is in behind, that’s must give a motivation)
One of three slogan that Ki Hadjar Dewantara make, Tut Wuri Handayani use for motto in the
Ministry of Education in Indonesia. That is include the effect of the effort from Ki Hadjar
Dewantara.
His struggle must be appreciated now as his merit for development in Indonesia in
education sector. Although he born in a noble family, he really kind and not arrogant. He
finished his elementary school in ELS or known as primary school based on Netherland. Then,
he next his study to STOVIA which is a doctor school specially for boy but haven’t finished
because he had sick. And then he be included in journalist world. He worked as reporter and
writer for any popular newspaper.
He also included of other organization, there is Insulinde. Insulinde is the organization of
multi-ethnic who have many Indonesian people. The purpose of that organization is for have
own government in Nusantara, and that idealism is an effect from Douwes Dekker. Douwes
Dekker is builded Indische Partij and invite Ki Hadjar Dewantara to join with him.
He have a famous article is “if I were a Dutchman”, that article give a big effect for his
life. This article included heavy critism for Dutch colonizers who are collect money from native
to celebrate their 100th independence from French.
Dutch authorities didn’t allow a critism for anything, and the they captured Ki Hadjar
Dewantara. After that they exiled him to the Netherlands.
 Ki Hajar was arrested by Netherlands’ soldiers because he made a publication about his
article which was titled Als Ik Eens Nederlander Was (If I Am A Netherlander) in ‘De Express’
media. In this article, Ki Hajar Dewantara wrote that if he was a Netherlander, he would give his
colonies freedom. He had to appear before a Netherlands’ court. He did that with calm and full
of spirit. On July 3rd, 1922, Ki Hajar (as sparker of ideas) and with his friends in Sloso
Kliwonan Association, established the Nationaal Onderwijs Instituut Tamansiswa, or “Taman
Siswa”.

This school was opened to Indonesian people who wanted to study. Ki Hajar Dewantara
had three important principles, when he put into operation his schools, of which there were 129
branches in Indonesia. His principles were Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo (in front gives examples),
Ing Madyo Mangun Karso (in the middle builds up the spirit), and Tut Wuri Handayani (from
behind supervises). To this day, these wise principles are still a guiding principle and an
orientation in the world of Indonesian education.

When Japan colonized Indonesia, Ki Hajar Dewantara became a member of The Center
of People’s Power (PUTERA). PUTERA was built by Japan to monitor dangerous people for
Japan. Ki Hajar did that on purpose, in order not to be suspected and to be free to move. When
PUTERA dispersed, Ki Hajar was chosen as a member of Naimuhu Bunkyonkyoku Sanyo. It is
an educational organization which was made by Japan.

He got appreciation as “Bapak Pendidikan Indonesia” because of his ideas in the world of
education. His opinions were modern although he lived in colonial times (difficult times). He
always thought that everybody had the right to get an education. He was chosen also as Minister
of Indonesian Education under President Soekarno’s administration. Ki Hajar Dewantara still
tried to develop the educational system in Indonesia by his brilliant ideas. When President
Soeharto commanded, Ki Hajar Dewantara was bestowed as “Bintang Mahaputera”. He was also
called as a pioneer of the Indonesian Press. His birthday was celebrated as Education Day (Hari
Pendidikan Nasional). He passed away on April 26th, 1959. His wife, Nyi Sutartinah, collected
things which had been used by Ki Hajar and his family. There were about 3000 things, and then
they were put at Dewantara Kirti Griya Museum, Yogyakarta.

Then by the successor State college student, founded Kirti Griya Dewantara Museum,
Yogyakarta, to preserve the values of Ki Hajar Dewantara fighting spirit. In the museum there
are objects or works as the founder of Ki Hajar Tamansiswa and performance in national
life. Museum collections in the form of paper or concepts and critical treatises and data
correspondence Ki Hajar during life as a journalist, educator, humanist, and as an artist have
been recorded on microfilm and laminated for the help the National Archives.
This nation needs to inherit the fruit of his thoughts on the purpose of education is to
promote the nation as a whole without distinction of religion, ethnicity, race, culture, customs,
habits, economic status, social status, etc., and must be based on the values of human freedom.
 During his exile in the Netherlands, Ki Hadjar Dewantara active in Indonesian students
organization. He was obtained a certificate of European Teacher. From this condition, his
ambition started. His ambition is develop indigenous for study to obtained a popular diploma of
education.
He was also interested to many ideas from western figures, there are Froebel and
Montessori, and India’s education movement, Santiniketan, from Tagore’s family. Impact from
this is made for basics of his own education system.
Ki Hadjar Dewantara comeback to Indonesia on September 1919. He immediately joined
to his brother’s school. He had an experience and finally used in that school for develop his
learning concepts. From this time he finally released his nobled name for closer to society easily,
from physical or soul.
He was also the first Minister of Education. And got a honor of doctorate from the oldest
university in Indonesia, that is Gadjah Mada University. From his merits in regular education, he
be stated as Father of Education in Indonesia.
Why I choose Ki Hadjar Dewantara for my article today because he is my inspiration.
Besides RA Kartini who fight for women emancipation and equality of gender. Ki Hadjar
Dewantara have bigger ambition and he want to struggled. His concept in part of education used
until now, however the technology more and more evolved. He bring out indigenous from misery
because of colonization. He famous in other part of world too, not only in Indonesia.
Because of his merits we know about how our feeling about study or develop our
character if he didn’t. He can inspired us to study hard and change our country for be better than
before. He is a great example for new generations from this era, his spirit, ambition, effort and all
of them just only for make our country is out from colonialism. He wants to develop our
knowledge from studying. Also have a good personality in society life.
If he is nothing, maybe the name of Indonesia is nothing too. Because his effort to
changed our society for being smart and improve the intelligent, Indonesia can be free from
colonization. We are as the next generation of Indonesia must have a soul like Ki Hajar
Dewantara. Who is can give an effect for development of Indonesia.
Maybe we can feel what is freedom, because the colonization era is so cruel. Which is
there is had some term “romusha” or “rodi”, who indigenous are forced by Dutch colonizator or
Japan colonizator. Or maybe any country can colonize our country too, because the society
haven’t any knowledge for against the colonizer.
 Because of him, Indonesia also reach their goals in other sectors too. Like economic, or
development and confessionin any conference. Ki Hadjar Dewantara also known as inspiration
for the next generation after he passed away, so we have another Ki Hadjar Dewantara in other
frame. He is the example of struggle of the real Indonesian hero and he leave his merits.
As a human being in this era, we must followed his footsteps who is be participate for the
development of our country and nation. Not also like a government, but we must to be like
socialist. Because as you know, Ki Hadjar Dewantara is a very kind person and he is so sincere
for people.
I want be like him too. Because his struggle for the progress of indigenous for the future
of Indonesia too. He had so much struggle, but he can passed that with a kindhearted. He is a
really good journalist and reporter. He so brave to speak up, whoever anyone can’t do that
things. Because of the colonization, he really confident to write any article. With include that
mean is anti-colonialism, heavy critism, and also make a lot of satire.
The nasionalism in his body must be praised, because he has a big ambition for his
country. While in this era some teenagers forgot about their country and they culture. The side
effect of globalization is like that. Even their forgot the indepence day of Indonesia too, or any
nasional hero in a long time ago.
The development of good character should be the heart and soul education, and should
dominate the spirit of teaching. This was the philosophy of the "father of education" in Indonesia
Ki hajar dewantara. The reason, he said was tah teaching and character building are like two
sides of a coin and cannot, and should not be separated.
Education, by definition, means guiding student lives in a strong foundation of good
character, so that they would be civilized humans of highest moral fibre, thus laying the
foundation of a grat nation without distinction of religion, ethnicity, customs, economic and
social status.Ki Hajar Dewantara was born in the royal family of Yogyakarta on 2 may 1889.
His given name was raden mas suwardi suryaningrat which he later changed to renounce
his connections with the royal family. He transformed himself inti an activist, columinist,
politician and pioneer of education for indonesias. He fought for rights of Indonesian during
Dutch and Japanese colonial eras.
 He is the only person who struggles for the advancement of education in Indonesia. he is
a figure who is strong, smart, and creative. Thanks to his services, we as a descendant of the
natives can feel what it is to learn and build a good personality.
Since Indonesia’s independence day until today, there are 10 curriculum that have been
implemented in the national education system of Indonesia. From 1974 until 2013, the
government have changed the curriculum for almost 11 times—in 1947, 1952, 1964, 1968, 1975,
1984, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2006 and 2013. The changes that occur is a manifestation of the
consequences of changes in the era such as changes in economic, political, social, cultural as
well as science and technology evolve.
In this new era, developing skill and knowledge are not limited only to formal school or
homeschooling. Now, internet play an important part in the educational system of Indonesia.
Everyone can easily learn about anything from internet at anytime. But even though education
can easily obtained now, education in Indonesia’s development still lacking a lot of things.
Lacking of basic learning skills on curriculum and moral education. The quality of education in
Indonesia still counts as poor. By looking at how easily a student has a good score even though
they didn’t understand the lesson, it’s very saddening.

Until this very moment, Indonesia’s curriculum in the education system is still lacking
of basic learning skills, meanwhile, basic learning skills is counted as an important aspect to
learn. Most curriculum are focused too much on making sure the students understand a lot of
complicated things that they may never meets in real life. While not denying the fact that it is
important, curriculum should also have basic learning skills. Basic learning skills, in fact, will
absolutely meet the student in real life.

All this time, study or not, every student’s achievement is considered equal and everyone
passed exams at the same time. This generalizes treatment towards every student in Indonesia is
considered unfair since everyone have a different potential and environment. In order to stabilize
education system in Indonesia, the government need to consider the students’ ability before
deciding to use curriculum that too far ahead for them.

Although there are still many deficiency on Indonesia’s education system, education in
Indonesia today is at least progressing quite well. Indonesia now ranks 69th out of 127 based on
the Education For All (EFA) of UNESCO which is based Education Development Index (EDI).