Ganda Febri Kurniawan
This study examines the application of John Dewey’s progressive education philosophy in teaching Indonesian local history, focusing on early 20th- century Javanese aristocratic resistance against colonialism. It frames the local past as a form of lifelong education rooted in authentic experience, critical reflection, and intergenerational dialogue. Through these historical narratives, the research explores how such pedagogy can cultivate critical, engaged, and democratically responsible citizens. Acknowledging its limitations, the study analyzes how this approach can deepen social awareness and strengthen local identity within Indonesia’s post- colonial context. Ultimately, it contributes to developing a more dynamic local history curriculum, proposing that such educational renewal can be a springboard for broader social and political transformation in contemporary Indonesia. © 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Doctoral School of Education, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary; Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia
