English Language
Ki Hajar Dewantara is indeed famous as an Indonesian education hero, he even got the nickname as the Father of Education. Through his thoughts, Ki Hajar Dewantara argued that education is a series of processes to humanize human beings.
The concept of education according to Ki Hajar Dewantara is based on the principle of independence, which means that human beings are given freedom from God Almighty to manage their lives in accordance with the rules that exist in society. Therefore, it is expected that a learner must have an independent soul in the sense of independence physically and mentally as well as his energy.
An independent spirit is needed throughout the ages so that the Indonesian people are not dictated to by other countries. Ki Hadjar Dewantara has the term among system, which prohibits punishment and coercion on students because it will kill their free spirit and kill their creativity.
Seeing these various things, of course, it is in accordance with the education program that is being carried out by Indonesia today, which is an Independent Learning policy program. Merdeka Learning is a new policy program of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikbud RI) launched by the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Anwar Makarim.
The essence of freedom of thought must be preceded by teachers before they teach it to students. Independent Learning is expected to improve the teaching and learning process so that it can have a good impact on aspects of life. Starting from the physical, mental, physical and spiritual aspects in the world of education.
Ki Hajar Dewantara’s thoughts on freedom of learning are also in line with the preamble of the 1945 Constitution related to educating the nation. Educating the nation does not mean educating individuals, but adapting the education system to the needs and livelihoods of the Indonesian people.
Independence is one that can describe the thoughts of Ki Hadjar Dewantara. There is one thing in Ki Hajar Dewantara’s thinking that must be underlined, namely the tricentric education. Triconcentric education, namely family, college, and society is a unified whole in education.
Based on his thoughts, Ki Hajar Dewantara was very instrumental in the progress of education and the Indonesian independence movement. We as the younger generation must be able to respect and appreciate the services of his struggle. More importantly, be able to emulate, have ideals, and the spirit to learn to make Indonesia better.
Given the momentum of National Education Day, it is hoped that all parties in educational institutions can work together in providing a healthy and independent environment related to the teaching and learning process in Indonesia.
“The purpose of teaching and education that is useful for living together is to liberate human beings as members of associations (people)” – Ki Hajar Dewantara
