Blad 136 uit Stamboek van de leerlingen der Koloniale School voor Meisjes en Vrouwen te 's-Gravenhage deel II (1930-1949) Possibly 1946 - 1947

This is page 136 of the register from the Colonial School for Girls and Women in The Hague. Likely made sometime between 1930 and 1949, it reveals the intersection of gender, colonialism, and education in the Dutch context. The register page contains a grid with handwritten information, signatures, and photographs of the students. These young women attended a school specifically designed to prepare them for life in the colonies, particularly the Dutch East Indies. The students’ photos offer a glimpse into the lives of those who were expected to uphold the colonial system. The register bears witness to the gendered nature of colonialism, where women were assigned specific roles in maintaining social and cultural norms. The entries also reflect the complicated dynamics of identity and belonging. These students were neither fully Dutch nor fully integrated into the cultures of the places they were being sent to. As you consider this page, reflect on the complicated and sometimes contradictory experiences of these women, whose lives were shaped by forces far beyond their control. What did they feel about leaving home?