Today May 2, 2017 Indonesia is celebrating National Education Day which coincides with the birthday of Raden Mas Suwardi Suryaningrat or better known as Ki Hadjar Dewantara, the father of national education in Indonesia.
Ki Hajar Devantoro who was born in Yogyakarta, May 2, 1889 and died in Yogyakarta, 26 April 1959 is known for his daring opposition against the Dutch colonial government education policy then. At that time, only children of Dutch origin, nobility and rich people were allowed to get proper education at school.
His criticism of the colonial policies caused him to be exiled to the Netherlands. After returning to Indonesia after some time he went on to establish an educational institution that is open to anyone named Taman Siswa.
Indonesia's current state of education of course is different from those in the Dutch colonial period. In that era learning opportunities were still very limited. Only those who come from upper families who could get an education. And with a limited level of education as well.
After the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the state of education was much better even though with makeshift facility. Learning opportunities are now open to everyone, although due to the high cost, access to education to a higher level is still limited.
Education is important for everyone to become a better human being. It has become the government concern since the era of the first President Sukarno to the current era of President Joko Widodo.
Since 1984, precisely during the time of Minister of Education Nugroho Notosusanto, 9-year compulsory education has been set. But at that time education can not be enjoyed by all children of Indonesia. The reason is Indonesia local economy often not sufficient to be able to complete an education. As a matter of fact, the real education for the Indonesian nation is a commitment between the Government and the public, as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution that the objective of the state is the nation's intellectual life.
In a speech to commemorate the 2016 National Education Day, Minister of Education and Culture, Anies Baswedan said National Education Day is celebrated as a day of awareness about the importance of human qualities. Indonesia will be the world respected nation and successful in a variety of global competition if it has people with high quality.
Indeed, the limited educational facilities do not automatically hamper Indonesia to have persons with a high quality. Many children from remote areas with limited facilities and infrastructure, have been able to achieve a better performance than children who live in urban areas with luxurious amenities and convenience.
It all depends on the individual, family and government. They need to fight and support from various parties towards national quality education amid intense competition and rapid technological advances that could be positive and negative.
Happy National Education Day. Hopefully education in Indonesia will get better and advance towards a better human quality.
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