Children with Special Needs Entitled to Quality Education Without Discrimination

Purwokerto (ANTARA) - Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti has emphasised that children with special needs (ABK) have the same right to quality education without discrimination, in accordance with the mandate of the national education system.

“The government is committed to providing education for children with special needs by strengthening various services, including inclusive education, special schools, and community-based education,” said Abdul Mu’ti at the handover event of SLB B Yakut management to the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership (PDM) of Banyumas Regency in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, on Saturday.

He appreciated the Tama Welfare Business Foundation (Yakut) along with the founder’s family for pioneering and developing SLB B Yakut since 1961, turning it into one of the thriving special education institutions in Central Java.

According to him, managing education for ABK is a form of service that holds long-term social and spiritual value.

“This is a real example of how we light the way in the darkness, providing hope for those in need,” he said.

The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education stated that the government is implementing three main strategies to strengthen educational services for ABK, namely strengthening inclusive education in general schools, enhancing the capacity of special schools, and developing community-based inclusive education.

According to him, inclusive education aims to allow children with special needs to learn alongside other students, thereby building self-confidence while fostering empathy in the school environment.

Additionally, the government has refined the new student admission system with four pathways: domicile, achievement, affirmative action, and transfer.

The affirmative action pathway prioritises students from low-income families and ABK to gain broader access to education.

“Children with special needs must not be marginalised; they are part of Indonesia’s children whom we must embrace and develop their potential,” he said.

Abdul Mu’ti also highlighted the persistent stigma in parts of society that views ABK incorrectly, leading some families to hide their child’s condition.

Therefore, public education is deemed essential to change such perspectives.

According to him, SLB Yakut has grown with more than 300 students, comprising 119 SLB B students and 200 SLB C students, supported by dedicated teachers.

“Everything here (SLB B), from the buildings, students, teachers, to financial management, we hand over entirely to Muhammadiyah,” he said.

Agung hopes that management by Muhammadiyah will enable the institution to develop further and provide broader benefits to the community, while serving as a sustainable charitable deed for the founders.

Meanwhile, Chairman of PDM Banyumas Regency, M Djohar, expressed readiness to undertake the responsibility of managing SLB B Yakut.

“On behalf of the Muhammadiyah Association, we express our thanks for this trust. This is a great mandate that we must carry out to the best of our ability,” he said.

Djohar hopes that the management of the SLB can continue to provide broader and higher-quality educational services for children with special needs, while strengthening Muhammadiyah’s role in inclusive education.

The event also featured the signing of the handover minutes for SLB B Yakut Purwokerto to PDM Banyumas, witnessed by several related parties.