‘Barter’ Indonesian and Mexican Schools, Tracing Their History in South Jakarta

Jakarta – Latin America held a special place in the eyes of President Sukarno. In 1959, he visited several countries in the region, starting from Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico. During his visit to Mexico in late May 1959, Bung Karno visited several schools. One school located in Tacuba was eventually renamed La Escuela Republica de Indonesia. Since that inaugural visit, diplomatic cooperation between Indonesia and Mexico has grown closer over the years. President Sukarno visited Mexico twice more, in 1960 and 1961.
A year later, President Adolfo López Mateos visited Jakarta as a reciprocal gesture, marking a new chapter in the friendship between the two nations. As a form of honor, one school located in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta was named the Mexican School. From a Dutch school to a Symbol of Friendship Between Two Countries
Facility manager of SDN Gunung 05 Pagi, Muhammad Rizki Ramadhan, SPd I, explained how the school acquired this title. He stated that the school initially was a Dutch school established in 1954 on Jalan Hang Lekir 2, South Jakarta. ‘Further research in the article reveals that around 1955 or 1956, there was also a Dutch foundation,’ he said.
However, the journey of the Dutch school was short-lived. In 1957-1958, the Indonesian government closed down foreign schools, leading to the closure and renaming of the school to Sekolah Rakyat Blok H. Not long after, a significant change occurred in 1962. The school was formally inaugurated by President Sukarno and the then-President of Mexico, Adolfo López Mateos. This moment also marked the school’s name change to Escuela Republica de Mexico.
‘School Unites Indonesian and Mexican History and Culture
Not only the name, but Mexican cultural elements also thrived in the school. In 1970, an additional curriculum was introduced to promote cooperation between the two countries. Even during ceremonies, two flags were raised. Rizki mentioned that the dual flag raising became a unique moment remembered by alumni. ‘The raising of two flags is a story shared by the old alumni. During ceremonies, both the Indonesian and Mexican flags were hoisted,’ he said.
The School Was Once Divided and Later Reunited
By 1979, the school’s nomenclature changed again. Escuela Republica de Mexico was split into two entities: SDN Gunung 05 Pagi and SDN Gunung 06 Petang. Another change occurred in 2013 through a regrouping policy, which merged the two schools back into SDN Gunung 05 Pagi. ‘The two schools were merged into one, becoming SDN Gunung 05 Pagi, and the nomenclature has since reverted to just SDN Gunung 05,’ Rizki explained. After this long journey, the school now stands as a historical legacy in Jakarta. In accordance with Governor’s Decree Number 732, the building of SDN Gunung 05 Pagi has been officially designated as a cultural heritage site in Jakarta.’