A comparative perspective of educational policies of the Netherlands in Indonesia and Great Britain in Malaya during the 19th and 20th centuries

This paper comparatively examines the educational policies of the Netherlands in Indonesia and Britain in Malaya during the 19th - 20th centuries from the perspective of post-colonial theory. By using historical documents and synthesizing existing literature, the study reveals similarities and differences in their approaches. Notably, both implemented a “dual education” system, separating indigenous and Western-oriented education tracks, while adopting secular curricula and centralized administration. The Dutch were more flexible in language policies, whereas the British enforced stricter linguistic segregation. Influenced by the “divide and rule” strategy, segregated school systems for each ethnic group emerged, fostering communal divides. However, these policies inadvertently facilitated modernization, mass education, and female literacy. Moreover, they unintentionally nurtured an intellectual class that catalyzed nationalist movements. While serving colonial interests, the educational reforms laid foundations for modern, diversified education systems in post-colonial Indonesia and Malaysia. The paper contributes insights into colonial legacies and their complex ramifications on Southeast Asian societies development trajectories. It underscores how education served as a double-edged sword, both consolidating colonial rule and sparking movements towards independence and progress.