Kampanye higienitas di Sekolah Desa dan politik kesehatan kolonial di Keresidenan Semarang tahun 1929–1933

Abstract

This research examines the Medisch Hygiënisch Propaganda program and its impact on students at Village Schools in the Semarang Residency between 1929–1933. This campaign was part of the Dutch colonial health policy, a collaboration with Rockefeller Foundation to address the widespread health issues in Java since the late 19th century, such as yaws, hookworm, malaria, and other infection diseases. The widespread outbreaks of disease were seen as a threat to labor productivity, prompting the government to be more proactive in health promotion, including targeting students at the elementary level.  This study employs a historical method, utilizing primary sources such as publications from the Dutch East Indies Civil Health Department, official reports by Dr. M. Thierfelder Thillot, the photo album program Medisch Hygienische Propaganda, and contemporary newspapers De Indische Courant, obtained from the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia, the digital collection of Leiden University, and Delpher. This study demonstrates that the implemented program had a significant impact on improving hygiene knowledge, particularly in the Regenscap of Kendal, Demak, and Grobogan. This research is expected to contribute new insights to the historiography of children and health in Indonesia, especially regarding colonial health policies in addressing public health issues. Furthermore, this research is relevant for understanding the historical roots of modern health campaigns.