"We can train teachers so they can later assist children with special needs," Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti told reporters after attending the Harmoni Bintang Festival here on Sunday.
According to him, the training program can be a quick step in addressing the issues or challenges Indonesia faces in developing quality inclusive education, especially the shortage of teachers for children with special needs.
He explained that there are three main challenges in developing inclusive education in the country. In addition to the lack of educators, another challenge is that not all children with special needs are accommodated in inclusive schools due to the limited number of such schools.
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"Not all children with special needs are accommodated in inclusive schools. This is indeed an issue that we must resolve gradually," the minister said.
He continued explaining that the third challenge relates to cultural aspects. The minister noted that some parents still feel ashamed if their child becomes a student at an inclusive school.
"Some parents are not yet ready for their child to attend a school for children with special needs. This also becomes a cultural barrier to inclusive education. Some parents feel ashamed or worried if their child learns in the same class as children with special needs," Mu'ti said.
Therefore, he said the ministry is continuously working to address these challenges step by step.
"We will try to gradually resolve these obstacles, but essentially, we are striving to provide quality education services for all, in accordance with our capacity and collaboration with various parties," he added.
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Translator: Tri, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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