Indonesia’s education ministry is rolling out a program to train up to 1,500 teachers across 25 provinces to strengthen inclusive education, addressing a shortage of specialized support for students with special needs.
Officials said around 60 percent of the 2026 quota has been filled, highlighting both strong demand and the scale of remaining gaps in trained personnel nationwide.
The program is led by the Directorate General of Teachers, Education Personnel, and Teacher Education at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, officials said at its launch in Jakarta on Monday.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti said the initiative aims to meet demand for qualified teachers to support students with special needs, a key challenge in expanding inclusive education across the country.
“This Inclusive Education Training Program is designed to meet the need for professional teachers to support children with special needs,” he said.
Despite ongoing efforts, a shortage of trained teachers continues to hinder the expansion of inclusive education, particularly in regions where access to specialized support remains limited.
Beyond formal schooling, the ministry is also seeking to expand community-based inclusive education for children who remain outside the education system.
“We are trying to reach those who have not yet been reached, so all Indonesian children can receive quality education,” he said.
Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives Himmatul Aliyah welcomed the initiative, calling it a step toward narrowing longstanding gaps.
“With this program, we hope existing gaps can gradually be addressed. It may not happen all at once, but this is a significant step,” she said.
The government aims to achieve a ratio of one special assistant teacher for every 15 students in inclusive schools nationwide.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Primayanti
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