Dewi Sartika

Dewi Sartika

Dewi Sartika was born on December 4th 1884 in Bandung. She was a figure of woman education and was classified as a National Hero in 1966 by Indonesia government. Dewi Sartika was daughter of Nyi Raden Rajapermas and Raden Somanagara. They were sundanese nobles. After her father died, she has been looked after by her uncle whose position as a Vice Regent in Cicalengka. From her uncle Dewi Sartika got not only anything about Sundanese custom, but also she got education about western culture by Assistant Residen's wife.

Actually, her teaching talent was shown when she was a child. She often practiced the lesson while playing in the back yard of Vice Regent Palace. The servant's kids were taught about reading, writing, and Dutch. When she was ten, Cicalengka was surprised by the servant's kids ability, that they could read, write and speak Dutch although just a little bit, by the time not many peoples had that good ability. Day by day Dewi Sartika grew as a teenager. Finally she returned to her mother in Bandung. Her maturity guided to make her dream came true, and one of supporting people was her uncle, Regent Martanagara, who had the same vision felt worried with that time culture. With her strong motivation and her hard working, her uncle tusted and give her legalizationfor building a woman school.

In 1906, Dewi Sartika got married with Raden Kanduruan Agah Suriawinata, a school teacher who had the same vision with her. Since 1902, Dewi Sartika has pioneered education for women. In a small room behind her mother's house in Bandung, Dewi Sartika has been teaching in front of her female family. Knitting, cooking, sewing, reading, writing etc were the lesson at her school. After her discussion with Regent R.A.Martanagara, Dewi Sartika opened the first woman school in January 16th 1904. Although there were 3 teachers ( Dewi Sartika her self and her two cousins: Mrs. Poerwa and Miss Oewid ). In the beginning, she had only 20 students, but later on she had more classes so that she had to move to another place to Ciguriang street in Kebon Cau.With the Regent contribution, she bought this new location. Her first students who graduated in 1909, proved to our country that Indonesian women had the same ability with the Indonesian men. In 1910 Dewi Sartika improved her school into a more formal one.

Later on there were many women schools in Pasundan areas, especially the school which were managed by sundanese women as Dewi Sartika did. Even in 1912 there were9 women schools in some regencies in West Java. In 1914 her school's name was changed into " Sakola Kautamaan Istri ". In 1914 her school became " Raden Dewi's School ". Because of her devotion, our government give her appreciation. In September 11th 1947 she passed away in Tasikmalaya, but 3 years later her grave was moved to Bandung.