KI HAJAR DEWANTARA

Ki Hajar Dewantara is a national hero who has contributed to the field of education. He was the pioneer of education for indigenous people when Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial occupation. At that time, education in Indonesia could not be felt evenly; only the Dutch and priyayi could get an education. He was born in Yogyakarta, on May 2, 1889. He was born into the Yogyakarta royal family with the name Raden Mas Soewardi Soeryaningrat. He was usually called by his Javanese name, Soewardi.

Ki Hajar Dewantara came from a noble family. He finished elementary school at Europeesche Lagere School (ELS), which is a special elementary school for European children. Then he studied medicine at STOVIA. Unfortunately, Ki Hajar Dewantara was unable to complete his education due to deteriorating health conditions. However, some sources say he quit school because the Dutch cut off his scholarship.

Ki Hajar Dewantara pursued a career as a writer and journalist in several newspapers, such as Sediotomo, De Expres, Kaoem Moeda, Poesara, Midden Java, Oetoesan Hindia, and Tjahaja Timoer. He was one of the reliable writers at that time who always gave communicative ideas about anti-colonialism. Ki Hajar Dewantara was also active in socio-political organizations. One of the organizations he joined was Boedi Oetomo (BO) in 1908, a youth association that discussed social, economic, and cultural conditions.

Ki Hajar Dewantara returned to Indonesia in September 1919 and focused on building education as a tool to achieve independence. One way was to establish Taman Siswa or Nationaal Onderwijs Instituut. Taman Siswa is a national university formed by the triumvirate on July 3, 1922. This school aims to instill a sense of nationality to gain independence.

With his services in the world of education, Ki Hajar Dewantara was named the Father of National Education, and his birthday was designated as National Education Day. The decree was ratified through Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 305 of 1959, along with the designation of Ki Hajar Dewantara as an Indonesian national hero.

By Mea.