Suardi Suryaningrat (1889-1959), a prominent Indonesian nationalist, founded the system of education that became known as Taman Siswa (garden for pupils). His name is also spelled Suwardi. In connection with his work, he took on the new name of Ki Hajar Dewantara. As a mark of honor, his birthday, May 2, is celebrated each year as National Education Day in Indonesia.
Suardi was born into the Yogyakarta royal house of Pakualam in Java on May 2, 1889. He began medical studies but had to abandon them because of lack of money. In 1913, the Dutch authorities exiled him to the Netherlands for his political activities. He returned to Java in 1919.
In July 1922, Suardi, making use of his European experience, began to organize the school system that later became known as the Taman Siswa. It spread rapidly throughout the Dutch East Indies. The aim of these schools was to educate pupils in the hope that they would become nationalists. It also offered students a blend of Indonesian and western culture.
In 1932, the Dutch colonial government introduced legislation to control nongovernment schools. As Ki Hajar Dewantara, Suardi led a national campaign that caused the legislation to be suspended.
In 1942, when the Japanese occupied Indonesia during World War II, Ki was one of four leading Indonesian nationalists, headed by Sukarno, who were recognized by the Japanese. But in 1944, Ki gave up his position and returned to Yogyakarta. He was one of the Indonesians appointed by the Japanese to form a committee to prepare for Indonesian independence. When the first cabinet of the new Republic of Indonesia was formed on Aug. 31, 1945, Ki became minister of education.
