Grammar of Difference. General Education in the Netherlands and Java, 1800-1940

This contribution compares developments in school enrolment and public investments primary education the Netherlands its most important colony 19th century: East Indies, more specifically island of Java. Despite being part same Empire, conditions both regions were very different, with metropole having already quite high rates from beginning period studied (the early century) compared to low attendance colony. For long, colonial government left indigenous Java religious private initiatives, whereas schooling was increasingly financed regulated. Rising interest for colony, including some investment first decades 20th century did lead changes, but these insufficient prevent Dutch Javanese children experiencing a fundamentally different educational upbringing.