Indonesian schoolchildren grow up with the motto on the education ministry's emblem: tut wuri handayani. It is the last of three lines by Ki Hajar Dewantara, who founded the Taman Siswa schools in 1922 and later became the country's first minister of education.
In full, in Javanese: ing ngarsa sung tuladha, ing madya mangun karsa, tut wuri handayani. In front, set the example. In the middle, build the will. From behind, give encouragement.
Researchers writing in Universitas Gadjah Mada's journal of medical education went back to the source. They analyzed Dewantara's own articles, published in Indonesian newspapers between 1920 and 1960, and compared his ideas with current evidence on student-centered learning. They tested their reading in three focus groups with 30 master's students in health professions education and in interviews with two national experts in higher education.
Their finding: early in the 20th century, Dewantara had already arrived at the contextual and collaborative principles that underpin student-centered learning today.
The researchers highlight several of his initiatives. He stressed equity between learners and teachers in a strongly hierarchical society. He used cultural events and instruments as serious learning resources to sharpen students' senses and their awareness of the community's needs. And he promoted learning through observation — helping students reflect on their mistakes and grow into independent thinkers and responsible people, with role models and real chances to take part.
Sources
Claramita, M., et al. (2016). Revealing "Tut Wuri Handayani": A student-centred learning approach by Ki Hajar Dewantara from the early 20th century. A literature review. Jurnal Pendidikan Kedokteran Indonesia: The Indonesian Journal of Medical Education. https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jpki/article/view/25295
