TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During his speech to commemorate the National Education Day, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan instructed the city’s Education Agency Head Nahdian, its staffers, and teachers to read the books of Ki Hajar Dewantara, Indonesia's education pioneer.

Anies opined the National Education Day should not be a mere celebration of Dewantara’s birthday, but also the understanding the latter’s teachings. He also asked the public if they had read the founding father’s books instead of just knowing the educational philosophy Tut Wuri Handayani.

“It is meaningless to celebrate [the National Education Day] if we do not read [the books of Dewantara]. Thus, I ask the agency head to oblige all to read [the books] so they will know what we should have in our education system,” said Anies today, May 4.

The Jakarta provincial administration held today an online ceremony of the National Education Day, which falls every May 2.

According to him, the books written by Ki Hajar Dewantara highlighted the principles of modern education, which are adopted by current leading educational institutions.

Several schools, Anies added, had also taught similar principles. Yet the former education minister stopped short of detailing the teachings.

“[The books of Ki Hajar Dewantara] may use old dictions, but the teachings are new and still relevant to the current era,” Anies Baswedan remarked.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA