Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini has reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to pursuing collaborations to develop special schools and help students living with disabilities become more independent.

She informed that the matter is under discussion with the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, who oversees special school education.

According to her her Monday, not all children living with disabilities in Indonesia find themselves able to continue their education because of mobility-related problems.

"They cannot be alone (as many cannot move around independently) and most of these disabled children are from poor families," she said.

In addition, special schools that have a range of students with different disabilities need proper accessibility to support mobility.

However, accessibility at special schools has not been optimal in supporting students' mobility, the minister noted.

The ministry is providing assistance through the social centers to disabled children who have dropped out of school.

Children with disabilities receive training at the centers so that they can live independently and sustainably.

Minister Rismaharini also highlighted problems at inclusion schools, where not all teachers have experience teaching disabled children.

She said that inclusion schools need to add learning support facilities to make school environments safer and accommodate children with disabilities.

"They need their own specific treatments that cannot be all the same," she added.

She also underlined the need for special school students to gain life skills after graduating from school.

Earlier, at a working meeting with the House of Representatives on September 14, 2023, Minister Rismaharini informed that she will discuss inclusive education and special schools with Minister Makarim and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also conducts training for people with disabilities so they have better access to employment.

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Translator: Devi R, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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