The Brief History of Scouting in Indonesia

Scouting in Indonesia is called by Pramuka that the short of Praja  Muda Karana. The meaning of Praja  Muda Karana is the young people who like to work. Formerly the scouting movement in Indonesia is also famous for the name of Kepanduan. Scouting organizations exist in different parts of the world and aim to train the physical, mental and spiritual participants and encourage them to engage in positive activities in society. Scouting exercises are usually held in a non-formal manner and are held outdoors. Here we would like to expand the history of Scouting in Indonesia

1. The history of Scouting in the world

Scouting known in Indonesia as Kepramukaan, developed by Lord Baden Powell as a way of fostering young people in Britain involved in violence and crime, he applied intensive scouting to 21 youths by camping on Brownsea Island for 8 days in the year 1907. Baden Powell’s successful experiences before and after the camp at Brownsea were written in a book called “Scouting for Boy”.

Since Baden Powell wrote his experience in the book Scouting for Boys in 1908, it was considered a forerunner of the birth of the Boy Scout movement. The book was deliberately created by Baden Powell as a guide in the camp. Not only in England, but also in other countries the book sold well. Scouting organizations also emerged that were originally reserved for boys only under the name “Boys Scout”. It was not until 1912, assisted by his younger sister, Agnes, Baden Powell founded a Girl Scout organization for women under the name “Girl Guides”.

2. The spread of Scouting in Indonesia

The idea of the organization called scouting that created by Baden Powell, in a short time had spread to various countries in the world including the Dutch. In the Netherlands the scout movement is known as Padvinder. At that time, the Dutch who were dominating Indonesia also brought that idea to Indonesia. And finally they also established the organization in Indonesia under the name NIPV (Nederland Indische Padvinders Vereeniging / The association of Dutch-Indonesia Scouting).

In a short time, organizations scouting in Indonesia started to be emerged, such as JPO (Javaanse Padvinders Organizatie), SIAP (Sarekat Islam Afdeling Padvindery), HW (Hisbul Wathon), JJP (Jong Java Padvindery), NATIPIJ (Nationale Islamitsche Padvindery).

3. The Scouting in Japanese Collonialism

In Japanese colonialism era, the scouting was banned because Indonesian Scout participants worked together to fight for Indonesian independence. That is way Japanese stopped this activity during its colonialism in Indonesia. Fortunately, it just happened for 3-4 years only. After Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the spirits of scouting came back to Indonesia.

Read also:

• School Life in Indonesia
• Culinary School in Indonesia
• University Life in Indonesia

4. After Independence of Indonesia

Scouting organization of Pandu Rakyat Indonesia was established on December 28, 1945. It became the only one scouting organization at that time. Next, in the early 1950s, many scouting organizations emerged so that the Minister of Education, Teaching and Culture, changed the Decree No. 93 / Bhg.A, February 1, 1947 by Decree No. 23441 / Kab, September 6, 1951. This allowed scouting organizations other than Pandu Rakyat Indonesia.

On 16 September 1951, IPINDO (Indonesian Pandu Association) was adopted as a member of the International Conference (Organization of the World Scouts) representing Indonesia in the Far East Regional Scout officer in 1953.In 1954, formed organization POPPINDO (Fraternity Organization Pandu Puteri Indonesia) and PKPI (Scout Princess Putri Indonesia) which merged into PERKINDO (Persatuan Kepanduan Indonesia).

5. The first Scout movement of Indonesia was formed

President Soekarno gave the mandate of the guiding leader at the Merdeka Palace on March 9, 1961. President Soekarno declared the dissolution of all scouting organizations in Indonesia and then merged into a new organization called Scout Movement with the symbol of coconut shoots. Through the help of Prime Minister Ir. Juanda, then the struggle to produce Presidential Decree no. 238 of 1961 on the Scout Movement which on 20 May 1961 was signed by Ir. Juanda because President Soekarno was visiting Japan at that time.

Read also:

• Learning Styles in Indonesia
• The Importance of Learning English in Indonesia
• How to Study in Indonesia

6. The established of Indonesia Scouting Day

Historically, scouts in Indonesia were born in 1961. This is in accordance with Presidential Decree No. RI. 112 of 1961 dated 5 April 1961. Then the question is, why is the Scout Day in Indonesia celebrates on every 14 August? This is because on August 14, 1961 was the day when the scout movement began to be introduced widespread in the territory of Indonesia. That is why on 14^th August, the day of scouting movement is celebrated in all the parts of Indonesian nations. Previously the president also inaugurated Kwarnas, Mapinas and Kwarnari.

7. Revitalization of Scout Movement

The development of scout movement has increased and decreased. In a certain period, the scouts seemed useless for the youngster of Indonesia. It affects the inheritance of values of Pancasila in the formation of the personal characters of the Indonesian youth.

Recognized this case, on the anniversary of the 45th Scout Movement in 2006, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono proclaimed the Revitalization of Scout Movement. Implementation of the Revitalization of Scout Movement in an effort to improve the organization of Scout Movement has resulted in the issuance of Law Number 12 Year 2010 on Gerakan Pramuka.

Read also:

• Medical Universities in Indonesia
• Medical Universities in Indonesia
• Education in Bali Indonesia

8. The Scouting Today

The scouting in Indonesia today has become a mandatory side-school activity in almost schools (from Elementray School until Senior High School) in Indonesia. Indonesia even made a scouting uniform that must be worn in a school day for the students. In kepramukaan, Indonesia students hopefully could learn the basic leadership and good characteristic of human being. That is why Indonesia really appreciates the existence of scouting. Almost the Indonesian think it could be the interesting program to train the students’ mental.

Those are the brief explanation for the history of scouting in Indonesia. Hopefully, this information could help you to motivate your activity in joining the scouting at school. Don’t be lazy to join this organization at school. You know that scouting consists of some fun outdoor activities. You could even add more experience by joining Kepramukaan at your school.