The Taman Siswa Movement and The Indonesian Nationalism

Abstract

This article attempts to analyze the Taman Siswa movement in the early years of its growth, with respect to its relationship with Javanese society on the one hand and with Indonesian nationalism on the other, paying special attention to its activities in each branch. The concluding of this study are as follows:1) The Taman Siswa was a movement which attempted to form “counter-institution” vis-á-vis the Dutch colonial regime, which remarks was an apolitical and administrative polity, or Beambtenstaat, according to H. J. Benda.2) The Taman Siswa as “counter-institution” had a great appeal to the Budi Utomo circle and received major support from the Budi Utomo in establishing its branches at Jakarta and Medan.3) East Java was very active in establishing Taman Siswa branches, and as a result nearly half of all Taman Siswa schools were maintained throughout the colonial period. Those who organized the Taman Siswa schools in the region seem to have been nationalists closely linked to Indonesia Nationalist Party or PNI.4) The ideology of the Taman Siswa also had a great appeal to the former Sarekat Rakyat circle. The best example may be seen in the case of the school in Bandung.