REVEALING “TUT WURI HANDAYANI” - A STUDENT-CENTRED LEARNING APPROACH - BY KI HAJAR DEWANTARA FROM THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY: A LITERATURE REVIEW
ABSTRACT: Student-centred
learning is characterized by constructive, collaborative and contextual learning;
derived from the constructivism theory. We studied the principle of “Tut Wuri
Handayani” / TWH (to follow the learners to achieve their utmost potentials)
which was initiated in 1922 by Dewantara, who was the first Ministry of
Education, Republic of Indonesia.
Method: A qualitative method with ‘content-analysis’ was used to study
the articles written by Dewantara published in Indonesian newspapers between
1920-1960. We reflected the articles into current evidences of student-centred
learning principles. Validations were done through three times focus group
discussions (FGDs) by 30 students of a master’s of health professional
education program and in-depth interview with two national experts in higher
education.
Results: In the period of early 20th century, Dewantara’s ideas had
arrived at ‘contextual’ and ‘collaborative’ principles; the basis of current
philosophy of student-centred learning. Dewantara’s exceptional initiatives
were: (1) emphasizing equity between learners and teachers regardless the strong
hierarchical social culture among Indonesian, (2) making the best use of
cultural events and instruments as rigorous learning resources to enhance the
sensory abilities and social sensitivity of the students towards community’s
needs, (3) promoting observation-based learning to promote selfdirected
learning by helping the students to reflect on their mistakes, to be
independent thinkers and to be responsible persons, to minimize gaps between
attitudes and behaviours, and to provide role models and opportunities for
students to actively participate in learning.
Conclusion: “Tut Wuri Handayani” or ‘to follow the learners to achieve
their utmost potentials’ revealed as a student-centred learning principle
emphasizes life-long learning. Dewantara may be regarded as one of the
world-wide leaders in education.
Keywords: student-centred
learning, learning theories, self-directed learning, facilitating learning, constructivism
Author: Mora Claramita
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160005