What August 17 means<\/p>\n
Simon Marcus Gower, Executive Principal, High\/Scope Indonesia,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
What does Independence Day mean to you? A simple but a hugely
\nimportant question; but sadly this simple question too often gets
\na pitiful and really rather simplistic answer. An answer often
\ncomes that does not speak of the great significance of
\nIndependence Day and the remarkable history which it represents,
\nbut instead speaks of this great day as representing little more
\nthan a carnival.<\/p>\n
Across the country, Indonesia celebrates its birth as a nation
\nand that is reasonable and right -- but perhaps the idea of
\ncelebration has been taken a little too far. Independence Day
\nshould also be commemorated as a mark of respect for the powerful
\nhistory and unique events that it represents.<\/p>\n
That question of the meaning of Independence Day, when asked
\nin schools here is usually responded to in a way that should give
\nus pause for thought and cause to reconsider how many people look
\nupon this day, not with pride, honor and respect but instead as a
\nreason to fool around in childish ways.<\/p>\n
"Yeah, I like Independence Day because it means that we don't
\nhave normal classes in school." "It is good fun, we play lots of
\ngames." "Last year, in school, we played many team games and my
\nclass was the champions." These are just some of the comments
\nthat may be collected from Indonesian classrooms. Of course, it
\nis reasonable to have fun, but what about the history that goes
\nwith this special day?<\/p>\n
Ask about that rather blurry photograph of Indonesia's first
\nPresident seen standing at the microphone reading his text to
\nIndonesia's Proclamation of Independence and the response becomes
\nquite different. Comments such as "Yes, right, that's important
\nI know, but that's boring for me. Who is interested in that
\nreally?" are quite often the unfortunate kinds of response.<\/p>\n
A comment such as this is most likely not really intended to
\nbe disrespectful or dismissive of the significance of that quite
\nremarkable photograph of Sukarno, looking almost radiant in his
\nwhite suit, as he seemingly carefully reads the text to the small
\nassembled crowd all those 58 years ago.<\/p>\n
However, though the intention may not have directly been to be
\ndisrespectful or insulting, the underlying thinking that would
\nallow a teenager to dismiss such critical events in Indonesian
\nhistory as "boring" has to be viewed as worthy of educators'
\nattention.<\/p>\n
Some educators attempt to justify and support the playing of
\ngames not just on a team-building level but also on the level of
\nsuggestion that these games are already a "tradition" in
\nIndonesian life and culture. The suggestion of these games being
\n"traditional" raises questions and doubts.<\/p>\n
It is possible to have both good and bad traditions. Whilst
\nit probably would not be fair to slam game playing entirely on
\nIndependence Day as being a bad tradition, it would be fair to
\ncondone and promote the balance between having fun and learning.<\/p>\n
Presently it seems all too easy for the vitality and
\nworthiness of the story of Indonesia's struggle for, and success
\nin, achieving independence to be a message almost entirely lost
\nfor schoolchildren.<\/p>\n
All this is not to suggest that schools need to go down the
\nroad of militaristic regimentation of students. Sometimes when
\nparades and flag ceremonies and saluting the flag are implemented
\nin schools they can be as meaningless as the sometimes foolish
\ngame playing.<\/p>\n
Children that are, in a lackadaisical manner, holding their
\nhands to their foreheads in a vague and even fake salute to the
\nflag, are not really learning or gaining any sense of
\ninspiration. Learning of and being inspired by history are high
\nideals indeed but they must surely be at the top of schools'
\nagenda.<\/p>\n
The sense of community and belonging that comes from the games
\nis good but honoring the history should not be overlooked. After
\nall, many Indonesians paid the ultimate price, giving up their
\nlives, so that the today may enjoy a free spirit.<\/p>\n
The saying "if you do not understand your past, then you live
\nwith the danger of having no future" applies here. For Indonesia
\nto enjoy a brighter future, appreciation of its past is extremely
\nimportant. And there can surely be no more appropriate place for
\nappreciation of the past and planning for the future to take
\nplace than in schools. So let us both celebrate and, importantly,
\ncommemorate.<\/p>",
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