Today On History, 2 May : Indonesian Education Day

Indonesian National Education Day is celebrated based on Ki Hajar Dewantara's birthday on 2 May. He was born with the first name Raden Mas Suwardi Suryaningrat on 2 May 1889. Raden Mas Suwardi Suryaningrat changed his name at the age of 39, to the name Ki Hajar Dewantara. He was a figure who made many contributions in the field of education, proven by opening the Taman Siswa School Foundation based in Yogyakarta in 1922. Apart from education, Ki Hajar Dewantara was also active in the fields of journalism and politics, particularly focusing on the Indonesian national movement. He made many harsh criticisms of the Dutch who were arbitrary during their colonization of Indonesia and this criticism made the Dutch angry and exiled Ki Hajar Dewantara out of Indonesia to reduce his influence. In organizing education, Ki Hajar Dewantara used the motto "Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha, Ing Madya Mangun Karsa and Tutwuri Handayani". This motto means : • Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha, means the person in front or someone with more experience sets an example. • Ing Madya Mangun Karsa, means the one in the middle who is harmonious and open in everyday life and in relationships. This section also means increasing the will and desire to dedicate oneself to the common good and noble ideals. • Tutwuri Handayani, means following behind and providing influence and encouragement. Ki Hajar Dewantara died on 26 April 1959 and was buried in the Taman Siswa Wijaya Brata family cemetery, Yogyakarta. On 28 November 1959, Ki Hajar Dewantara was declared as a "National Hero". On 16 December 1959, the government designated 2 May as "National Education Day" which was Ki Hajar Dewantara's birth date based on the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number : 316 of 1959. (編集済み)