Ki Hajar Dewantara

Tut wuri handayani, ing madya mangun karsa, ing ngarsa sungtulada.

Many Indonesian people have heard about this proverb, along with it’s maker. How come? It’s because this proverb has been such a motto for Indonesian people for a long time. What about it’s maker? People recognized him as Ki Hajar Dewantara. A prominent figure in Indonesian education history.

Ki Hajar Dewantara was born on the 2nd May of 1889 in Yogyakarta, as a member of Yogyakarta’s palace (Kraton Yogya). His first name was Raden Mas Soewardi Soeryaningrat. As a noble, he always tried to be like the members of the populace. He’d love to have everyone as his friend.

Because of his degree, Raden Mas Soewardi Soeryaningrat who loved to be called "Soewardi," had a chance to study at Nederland School Institute. However, he did not pass from STOVIA as a doctor because he was sick. So, he became a newspaper journalist, besides being active in ‘social-politic organizations’. His one desire was that the purpose of the Indonesian people would be realized, he understood the importance of togetherness for the Indonesian community. He was also fighting for human-rights so that everyone would be able to study at school. December 25th 1912, together with Dr. Douwes Dekker, and Dr. Cipto Mangunkusomo, they made ‘Indische Partij’, a politic organization which was fighting for Indonesian freedom. In fact, they faced many obstacles from the Nederlands. Just the same when they also made ‘Bumi Putera’.

Some time later, he made an essay ‘Als Ik Eens Nederland was’. That title means ‘If I Were A Nederland’, the contents were criticism and satire to the Nederland. The result? He had to lived in Pulau Bangka as punished. Short story, he and both of his friends were relocated to Nederland. Upon returning in Indonesia, he made National Onderwijs Institute Tamansiswa, a national school for Indonesian people. The school faced many obstacles early on, but he defended it. He continue to serve to Indonesia in education. After Indonesia’s freedom, he was still playing an important role there.

To honor all of his service and sacrifice, people agree to make education day in Indonesia at the same time with his birthday. He also received many more prizes after that. Ki Hajar Dewantara passed away on April 28th 1959.