Memory Of A Textbooks That Call NU Radical Organizations Withdrawn From Circulation

The thematic textbook for elementary/mi children who say NU is a radical organization. (Special)

JAKARTA Memories six years ago, February 7, 2019, the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) withdrew the 5th grade elementary school/Madrasah Ibtidaiyah thematic book which mentioned Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) a radical organization. The government will revise it for the common good.

Previously, the Ministry of Education and Culture described NU as an organization that fought against the Dutch colonialists. This condition made the colonial government give a radical stamp to NU. The context was then presented in textbooks.

NU's struggle against Dutch colonialism is not just an empty message. Traces of NU's resistance are present everywhere. Its founder Hasyim Asy'ari has finalized the idea of an educational system that reaches all Muslims through Islamic boarding schools.

Medical science education is taught. Western education was introduced. The goal is for the Indonesian people to avoid ignorance. NU's presence was greeted with great fanfare. At that time, schools that were able to accommodate the education of the native people were limited.

If there is a school, it is only accessible to those who are rich and innate. Hasyim Asy'ari himself wants his pesantre to reach many parties. He believes that education is a powerful tool to release the shackles of colonialism.

Later, NU made the Dutch a common enemy. The eruption of resistance against the Dutch occurred. NU did not want to submit to the Dutch. This narrative made NU labeled a radical organization by the Dutch colonial government. The radical context here is because the Dutch East Indies is an official government.

Anyone who fights the 'Hindi Netherlands' country is considered treason and radical. Radical stamps have also been given to Soekarno and other non-cooperative fighters. Stories related to NU were also included in the 5th grade of the elementary school/Madrasah Ibtidaiyah thematic distribution book in early 2019.

NU is said to be categorized as a radical organization. However, the word radical is in fact too sensitive. Fear of elementary school children digesting raw. Protests against the Ministry of Education and Culture were launched. At its peak, the Ministry of Education and Culture withdrew the book from circulation and promised to revise it on February 7, 2019.

"The context of the radical word actually exists in the book, the history of the struggle for national independence in the 1920s, the organization was founded. Now that is what is then categorized as a radical organization," said Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy as quoted on the tempo.co page, 7 February 2019.

The withdrawal of a book containing NU as a radical organization was welcomed by all NU administrators and sympathizers. They understand that the Dutch colonial era of NU chose a position of non-cooperative struggle.

The problem is that the matter of struggle is not right if it becomes the material for elementary school children. As a result, many will digest it rawly. They have not been able to analyze it so deeply. Moreover, recently the word radical has been considered bad connotation.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is also asked to be more thorough and selective. The fishing power of elementary school children and adults is certainly different. This condition must be understood for the common good.

"NU, who has been involved in establishing this republic, NU, which has been at the forefront of maintaining diversity, NU, which is at the forefront of maintaining coolness, a conducive situation, friendly NU. However, suddenly NU was written as part of a radical organization.

"That in students is immediately digested rawly, this is dangerous. In the end, our students do not believe in organizations that are truly rooted, really participate in giving birth to the Republic of Indonesia, instead it is dissolved, yes, I apologize for the organization recently that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is not clear, you know. This is what is dangerous, it is very detrimental," said the caretaker of the Tegalrejo Islamic Boarding School (API), Magelang, KH Muhammad Yusuf Chudlori, as quoted on the website. detik.com, February 7, 2019.