Ki Hajar Dewantara: The People’s Nobleman who Advocated for Native Education

Kategori: DUNIA PENDIDIKAN

Penerbit: Admin

Sinopsis:
Rewritten by Dewi Sulistya Wati. In the midst of the injustice of colonial-era education, a nobleman named Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat, or as we now know him, Ki Hajar Dewantara, chose a different path. He didn’t want to enjoy the comforts of being an aristocrat, instead, he fought to provide education for the marginalized native people. With a burning passion, he founded Taman Siswa in 1922, a school that opened its doors to all children, no matter their social status. However, his struggle wasn’t easy. The colonial government saw Taman Siswa as a threat and tried to shut it down. Yet, Ki Hajar Dewantara didn’t back down. He fought with his pen and ideas, planting the spirit of “Ing ngarsa sung tuladha, Ing madya mangun karsa, Tut wuri handayani” (in front, set an example; in the middle, build spirit; in the back, give support)—a motto that remains the foundation of Indonesia’s education philosophy today. The story of Ki Hajar Dewantara is not just about education, but also about courage, determination, and the belief that knowledge is the strongest weapon against oppression. Through this story, we learn that big change starts with a small step—a belief that every child has the right to learn and to dream.