Every May 2nd, the Indonesian nation celebrates National Education Day. This day holds significant importance in reflecting on and collectively committing to continuously improving the quality of education in Indonesia.

Education has been regarded as the primary foundation in building excellent human resources, which is key to a nation's success in facing global challenges. One concrete step in efforts to improve the quality of Indonesia's human resources is through the scholarship services organized by the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP). Under the mandate of the Ministry of Finance, LPDP has for over a decade been one of the institutions contributing to the formation of excellent Indonesian human resources for the future.

To date, there have been 45,571 sons and daughters of Indonesia who have received funding for S2 and S3 scholarships both domestically and abroad. Moreover, with the management of the Perpetual Fund reaching Rp154.107 trillion as of March 2024, LPDP also funds degree and non-degree scholarship programs organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemenristek) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).

This collaboration scholarship program began in 2022. The realization of scholarship recipients from the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbudristek) until March 2024 amounted to 455,711 people. Various non-degree programs include financing training for teachers, lecturers, and other campus programs.

Meanwhile, the realization of scholarship recipients collaborating with the Ministry of Religious Affairs until 2023 totaled 33,443 people. This collaboration funds many programs such as hafiz scholarship, outstanding santri, student exchange, development of religious moderation, lecturer certification, teacher professional education, and many more.

LPDP not only funds various scholarship programs and competency improvements but also research funding that has been ongoing since its inception. As of March 2024, from a total of 2,906 research projects, 964 projects have been completed with various outputs of products and/or policies based on academic research. Meanwhile, there are still 1,942 projects that are ongoing.

Various educational funding initiatives run by LPDP will continue to evolve. The participation of the nation's children in accessing education is certainly one of the strong reasons for LPDP to continue to exist and provide its services.

A Brief History of National Education Day

Commemorating National Education Day means looking back at the foundations of past events. In the early 20th century, the colonial government of the Dutch East Indies established schools to produce skilled labor to meet colonial administrative needs. However, access to education at that time was very limited. Only Dutch children, nobles, and the wealthy could enjoy education.

Criticism of the colonial government's education policy was launched by Ki Hadjar Dewantara, a nobleman, a national figure, who was intelligent and brave. His privilege was used to think about and fight for the fate of ordinary people, leading to his exile by the colonial government.

Exile only made Ki Hajar Dewantara's thoughts and actions more fervent. On July 3, 1922, post-exile, he founded the Taman Siswa school in Yogyakarta. This was a private school that was certainly not affiliated with the government and was even labeled as an illegal school by the colonial rulers at that time.

Concern for the colonial-style education system that only pursued diplomas and produced workers was one of the driving forces for Ki Hajar Dewantara to establish this idealistic Taman Siswa school.

The establishment of Taman Siswa is considered a historic milestone in the early opening of broad educational access to indigenous communities to catch up and become future leaders of the independent nation.

The philosophy of "Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo, Ing Madyo Mangun Karso, Tut Wuri Handayani" was born from this noble figure. Reflecting the ideal leadership where a leader becomes an example, mentor, and driving force for the progress of his students.

The journey and struggle of this national figure, whose birth name is Raden Mas Soewardi Soerjaningrat, later earned him the honorable title of Father of National Education. May 2nd was then chosen as National Education Day, coinciding with his birth date in 1889.

The spirit of the founding of Taman Siswa is still reflected in LPDP's vision and mission. Through #UangKita managed by LPDP, this institution continues to want to produce young Indonesian generations with higher education at the S2 to S3 levels.

LPDP has successfully produced thousands of graduates who have competencies and skills in various fields, ranging from science to technology. They have become agents of change who contribute to the nation's development, both through scientific works and community service.

In conclusion, National Education Day is not just a moment to celebrate educational achievements in Indonesia, but also a momentum to continue committing to supporting education as the primary investment for the nation's future.