May 2 is celebrated as National Education Day to coincide with the birthday of Ki Hadjar Dewantara, a National Hero who is honored as the Father of National Education in Indonesia. Ki Hadjar Dewantara whose real name is RM Suwardi Suryaningrat was born to a noble family in Yogyakarta, May 2, 1889. At the age of 40, he changed his name to Ki Hajar Dewantara. He no longer uses the noble title Raden Mas, as he wants to be closer to the people. During the era of Dutch colonialism , he was known for daring to oppose the education policy of the Dutch East Indies government at that time, which only allowed children born in the Netherlands or wealthy people to receive an education.
His criticism of the colonial government's policies led to his exile to the Netherlands, and he later founded an educational institution called Taman Siswa after returning to Indonesia. Ki Hadjar Dewantara was appointed as Minister of Education after Indonesia's independence. His philosophy, tut wuri handayani (behind giving encouragement), is used as a motto in the world of Indonesian education. He died on April 26, 1959. To honor his services to the world of Indonesian education, the Indonesian government set the date of his birth as National Education Day.
Once exiled because of his criticism of the Dutch regarding the injustice of education for Indonesian citizens, he founded a place to study in Yogyakarta called Taman Siswa. After completing his basic education, Ki Hajar Dewantara studied at STOVIA, but could not finish it due to illness. Finally, he worked as a journalist for several newspapers, such as De Express , Utus Indies, and Kaum Muda.
Ki Hajar Dewantara struggled through the education route by establishing a college called Taman Siswa on July 3, 1922. Then this college became a forum for instilling a sense of nationalism in students. The teachings of Ki Hajar Dewantara which are very well known are ing ngarsa sung tulodo , ing middle mangun karsa , and tut wuri handayani . Which means giving an example in front, in the middle giving encouragement, and behind giving encouragement.
To commemorate his services as a person who contributed to the field of Indonesian Education, UPN "Veteran" Jakarta commemorated him as a form of respect for those who have died by holding a Red and White Flag Raising Ceremony. The ceremony which was held on Monday, May 4 2015 at the UPN "Veteran" Jakarta Campus Ceremony Field began at 07.30 WIB and took place solemnly and gave an attitude of discipline as the nation's educated successors.
Acting as UPNVJ Vice Rector I Dr. Ir. Halim Mahfudh, M.Sc, ceremonial officers from the UPNVJ Unit Student Regiment Command and ceremony participants were all UPNVJ academics.
In his remarks, the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia which was read out by the Ceremony Trustee said that soon the Asean Economic Community would come into effect. The flow of goods, skilled labor, and investment between ASEAN countries has become freer. On the other hand, people's demands for higher education are increasing. In such a situation it seems appropriate to commemorate the 2015 national education day in the tertiary environment with the theme "With National Education Day, We Improve the Quality of Higher Education, Research and Innovation to Support National Competitiveness" to remind us all how important it is now to improve the quality higher education, research and innovation to increase the competitiveness of the nation.
In the historical records of the Indonesian nation, starting from the movement to realize independence ahead of 1945 to the movement for reform in 1998, the role of youth, students and universities has always been central. Youth, students and universities have always been at the forefront of every important change in Indonesia. Now is the time for universities to carry out a movement to improve the quality of higher education, research and innovation to increase the nation's competitiveness. Many efforts have been made by the government and universities to improve the quality of higher education. On the other hand, higher education institutions have also made many efforts to improve the quality of higher education, including through the construction of laboratories, improving the qualifications of lecturers and education staff, implementing an internal quality assurance system, implementing performance-based remuneration, increasing research, international publications, and intellectual property rights. Even so, nationally there is still much to be fought for in order to achieve the quality goals of higher education.
Society's expectations of education are increasing. Currently, people think that it is not enough for tertiary institutions to be able to carry out quality higher education. The community hopes that higher education institutions will be able to support the nation's competitiveness through innovative research that can have a direct economic impact on society.
Congratulations on commemorating National Education Day, glory to higher education, and innovation.