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Ki Hajar Dewantara
An Indonesian independence activist, writer…
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Hello. My name is Ki Hajar Dewantara. A long time ago, in the year 1889, I was born with the name Soewardi Soerjaningrat. When I was a little boy, I loved to learn new things. But I saw that some children could not go to school, and that made me feel sad. I believed every child should get to learn and play. I wanted all my friends to have a chance to grow smart and happy.
So, I had a wonderful idea. In the year 1922, I opened my very own school. I wanted everyone to feel welcome. I called my school Taman Siswa. That means 'Garden of Students.' I imagined my school was a happy garden, and all the children were like beautiful flowers. In my garden school, we learned by playing games, singing songs, and looking at the world around us. It was so much fun to learn together.
I believed that teachers should be like friendly helpers, showing children the way. I had a special saying: 'Ing ngarso sung tulodo, ing madyo mangun karso, tut wuri handayani.' That’s a way of saying that good helpers show you what to do, help you feel brave, and cheer for you from behind. I lived to be 69 years old. I am so happy that my garden schools are still helping children in a country called Indonesia. My dream that everyone can learn is still growing, just like a beautiful garden.
Ki Hajar Dewantara: The Garden of Students
Hello. My name is Ki Hajar Dewantara. A long time ago, in the year 1889, I was born with the name Soewardi Soerjaningrat. When I was a little boy, I loved to learn new things. But I saw that some children could not go to school, and that made me feel sad. I believed every child should get to learn and play. I wanted all my friends to have a chance to grow smart and happy.
So, I had a wonderful idea. In the year 1922, I opened my very own school. I wanted everyone to feel welcome. I called my school Taman Siswa. That means 'Garden of Students.' I imagined my school was a happy garden, and all the children were like beautiful flowers. In my garden school, we learned by playing games, singing songs, and looking at the world around us. It was so much fun to learn together.
I believed that teachers should be like friendly helpers, showing children the way. I had a special saying: 'Ing ngarso sung tulodo, ing madyo mangun karso, tut wuri handayani.' That’s a way of saying that good helpers show you what to do, help you feel brave, and cheer for you from behind. I lived to be 69 years old. I am so happy that my garden schools are still helping children in a country called Indonesia. My dream that everyone can learn is still growing, just like a beautiful garden.
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About
An Indonesian independence activist, writer, and politician who founded the Taman Siswa school system and served as Indonesia's first Minister of Education and Culture. He is revered as the Father of National Education in Indonesia.
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