Another Perspective in the Education of Netherlands in Indonesia During Colonial Period (1799 - 1942)

Abstract

During the colonial period in Indonesia (1799-1942), education played a pivotal role in the Dutch colonial government’s strategy of establishing and maintaining its rule. This study employs qualitative analytical methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Dutch educational policies implemented throughout this period, examining their objectives, strategies, and impacts on Indonesian society. The Dutch applied a Western-style education system alongside the existing traditional Islamic education, with the dual aims of training personnel for the colonial administration and promoting cultural assimilation. The findings reveal the implementation of a “dual education system”, with Western-style schools using Dutch as the language of instruction and traditional schools teaching in local languages. Over time, the education system evolved, establishing various types of schools, from primary to university levels. However, racial discrimination persisted in access and opportunities, posing significant barriers for indigenous Indonesians compared to their Dutch and Eurasian counterparts. Notably, this study highlights the unintended consequence of Western education nurturing an educated indigenous elite class, many of whom later became driving forces behind the nationalist movement for Indonesian independence. While serving colonial interests of training a loyal workforce and promoting cultural assimilation, the Dutch educational policy inadvertently laid the foundation for the modernization of Indonesia’s education system and the emergence of a new intellectual class. The research findings contribute to understanding the complex role of education in the colonial context and its long-lasting impacts on Indonesia’s development trajectory.