KI HAJAR DEWANTARA

by Karissa from Jakarta

His real name is Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat. He was born on May 2nd, 1889, in Yogyakarta. His father was called Pangeran Soerjaningrat, from
Pakualam Palace, Yogyakarta. He comes from the family palace of Yogyakarta. Raden Mas Soewardi Soeryaningrat, even at
40 years old by the count of the Year Caka, renamed Ki Hajar Dewantara. Since then, he no longer uses a
knighthood in front of his name. This meant that he could freely close to the people, both physically and heart. His
life is really characterized the struggle and dedication to the interests of the nation. He finished elementary school
in the ELS (Elementary School Holland) then could continue to STOVIA (Bumiputera medical school), but it was not
until the end because of illness. Later he worked as a journalist at several newspapers including Sedyotomo,
Midden Java, De Express, Oetoesan Indies, Kaoem Moeda, Tjahaja Timoer and Poesara. At the time, he was
considered a reliable writer. His writings are very communicative, sharp and patriotic so as to evoke the spirit of
Ki Hajar anti-colonial readers.
Dewantara

Besides tenacious as a young reporter, he was also active in social and political organization. In 1908, he was active in the
propaganda section Boedi Oetomo to promote awareness and inspire people of Indonesia at that time about the importance
of unity in the state and nation.

Then, with Douwes Dekker (Dr. Danudirdja Setyabudhi) and dr. Cipto Mangoenkoesoemo, he founded Indische Partij (the first
political party that wing nationalism Indonesia) on December 25, 1912 which aims to achieve an independent Indonesia.

. His recognition in the world of education was extraordinary. He always thought that education was one of the most important factors in freeing the Indonesian people of
their sufferings from colonization. He never considered that his aristocracy was important; instead he took off his aristocracy and changed his name to Ki Hajar Dewantara.
He did that because he wanted to bring himself closer to the people.

On July 13th, 1913, when he was 24 years old, 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 Peoples 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 Soekarnos 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.

Nama aslinya adalah Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat. Ia lahir pada 2 Mei 1889, di Yogyakarta. Ayahnya bernama Pangeran Soerjaningrat,
dari Pakualam Palace, Yogyakarta. Sebagai bagian dari keluarga bangsawan, Soewardi cukup bebas untuk menikmati pendidikan. Pengakuan-
Nya dalam dunia pendidikan luar biasa. Dia selalu berpikir bahwa pendidikan adalah salah satu faktor paling penting dalam membebaskan
rakyat Indonesia dari penderitaan mereka dari penjajahan. Dia tidak pernah menganggap bahwa aristokrasi nya penting, melainkan ia melepas
aristokrasi dan mengganti namanya menjadi Ki Hajar Dewantara. Dia melakukan itu karena dia ingin membawa dirinya lebih dekat dengan
rakyat.
Pada 13 Juli 1913, saat ia berusia 24 tahun, Ki Hajar ditangkap oleh Belanda 'tentara karena ia membuat publikasi tentang artikelnya yang
berjudul Als Ik Eens Nederlander Apakah (Jika I Am A orang Belanda) di' Media De Express ' . Pada artikel ini, Ki Hajar Dewantara menulis
bahwa jika dia adalah orang Belanda, ia akan memberikan kebebasan koloni nya. Dia harus tampil di hadapan pengadilan Belanda '. Dia
melakukan itu dengan tenang dan penuh semangat. Pada 3 Juli 1922, Ki Hajar (sebagai sparker ide) dan dengan teman-temannya di Sloso
Association Kliwonan, Nationaal Onderwijs mendirikan Instituut Tamansiswa, atau "Taman Siswa". Sekolah ini dibuka untuk orang Indonesia
yang ingin belajar. Ki Hajar Dewantara memiliki tiga prinsip penting, ketika ia dimasukkan ke dalam operasi sekolah nya, yang ada 129 cabang
di Indonesia. Prinsipnya adalah Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo (di depan memberi contoh), Ing Madyo Mangun Karso (di tengah membangun
semangat), dan Tut Wuri Handayani (dari belakang mengawasi). Sampai hari ini, prinsip-prinsip ini yang bijaksana masih prinsip dan orientasi
dalam dunia pendidikan di Indonesia.
Ketika Jepang menjajah Indonesia, Ki Hajar Dewantara menjadi anggota The Center of Power Rakyat (PUTERA). PUTERA dibangun oleh
Jepang untuk memantau orang-orang berbahaya bagi Jepang. Ki Hajar melakukannya dengan sengaja, agar tidak dicurigai dan bebas untuk
bergerak. Ketika PUTERA tersebar, Ki Hajar terpilih sebagai anggota Naimuhu Bunkyonkyoku Sanyo. Ini adalah sebuah organisasi pendidikan
yang dibuat oleh Jepang.
Ia mendapat penghargaan sebagai "Bapak Pendidikan Indonesia" karena ide-idenya dalam dunia pendidikan. Pendapatnya yang modern
meskipun ia hidup di zaman kolonial (masa sulit). Dia selalu berpikir bahwa setiap orang memiliki hak untuk mendapatkan pendidikan. Ia
terpilih juga sebagai Menteri Pendidikan Indonesia di bawah pemerintahan Presiden Soekarno. Ki Hajar Dewantara masih mencoba untuk
mengembangkan sistem pendidikan di Indonesia dengan ide-ide brilian. Ketika Presiden Soeharto memerintahkan, Ki Hajar Dewantara
dianugerahkan sebagai "Bintang Mahaputera". Ia juga disebut sebagai pelopor Pers Indonesia. Ulang tahunnya dirayakan sebagai Hari
Pendidikan (Hari Pendidikan Nasional). Dia meninggal pada 26 April 1959. Istrinya, Nyi Sutartinah, mengumpulkan hal-hal yang telah
digunakan oleh Ki Hajar dan keluarganya. Ada sekitar 3000 hal, dan kemudian mereka ditempatkan di Museum Dewantara Kirti Griya,
Yogyakarta.