Special Mention of Kiai Sulaiman Zainuddin for Ki Hajar Dewantoro

 

Special Mention of Kiai Sulaiman Zainuddin for Ki Hajar Dewantoro

Celebrating National Education Day will never be separated from the name of Ki Hajar Dewantoro. The founder of Taman Siswa is an educational figure who is well known for his motto Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo (who in the front gives an example), Ing Madyo Mangun Karso (who in the middle gives encouragement), Tut Wuri Handayani (who in the back gives encouragement).

Ki Hajar Dewantoro's real name is Suwardi Suryaningrat. Born in Yogyakarta May 2, 1889. Kanjeng's father Pangeran Harjo Surjaningrat, was the son of Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Hadipati Harjo Surjosasraningrat who had the title Sri Paku Alam III. As a descendant of nobles and scholars, Suwardi Suryaningrat was educated and raised in a high and conducive socio-cultural and religious environment.

His childhood was spent studying at a boarding school in Kalasan, Prambanan, led by Kyai Sulaiman Zaenuddin. This kiai has many students and comes from various regions. Here, little Suwardi studied the Qur'an, Hadith and some yellow books. When he was studying, Suwardi Suryaningrat already showed his intelligence. So it is not wrong if Kyai Sulaiman Zainuddin even dubbed him "Jemblung Trunogati" or a child with small stature, big belly, and knowledgeable. It was from this kyai that Suwardi Suryaningrat studied the Qur'an until he was proficient and understood its contents.

Ki Hajar Dewantoro took his first education at ELS, namely Elementary School for European/Dutch children as well as the nobility. Then he continued at STOVIA, a school built for the education of indigenous doctors in the city of Batavia. But not until the end because of illness. Ki Hadjar Dewantoro is known to be skilled in the world of writing. He was a journalist for Sediotomo, Midden Java, De Express, Oetoesan Indies, Kaoem Moeda, Tjahaja Timoer, and Poesara. His sharp writing style reflects his anti-colonial attitude.

Not only active in journalism, Ki Hajar Dewantoro is also active in politics. Once a member of Boedi Oetomo, Ki Hajar Dewantoro later founded Indische Partij with Douwes Dekker and Dr. Tjipto Mangunkusumo. The three became known as the Three Ones. In 1919 they returned to Indonesia after being exiled in the Netherlands. He immediately joined as a teacher at the school founded by his brother on 3 July 1922 . The school was named National Onderwijs Instituut Tamansiswa which later became known as Taman Siswa.

At the age of 40, Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat officially changed his name to Ki Hadjar Dewantara. This change was intended so that he could be close to the indigenous people at that time.