Further education helps children with special needs develop skills and independence

Further education for children with special needs after completing senior high school is important for developing skills, independence and readiness to enter the workforce. “We want them to have not only vocational skills, but also communication, social, discipline, responsibility and self-confidence abilities to become more independent,” said London School Beyond Academy Associate Director Chrisdina Wempi at the inauguration of LSBA Bekasi at LSPR Transpark, East Bekasi, on Saturday. Chrisdina said every individual with special needs has different potential and development requirements, so the learning process needs to be tailored to each participant’s abilities. LSBA is a skills training institution under the LSPR Institute of Communication and Business that facilitates individuals with special needs to develop their potential according to their respective abilities. LSBA Bekasi offers practice-based learning that integrates vocational skills, social and communication abilities, work experience and entrepreneurship. Chrisdina explained that LSBA Bekasi offers four fields of study: culinary arts, crafts, office administration, and digital design and printing. Participants undergo six semesters of learning followed by two semesters of work training to strengthen their skills. Prospective participants who are graduates of senior high school or equivalent first undergo an assessment to determine their needs and suitable development programme. LSBA Bekasi has a maximum capacity of 70 students per cohort, with practice facilities including culinary, screen printing, craft and handicraft laboratories. In addition, LSBA opens opportunities to gain work experience through internship programmes with a number of companies and institutions. The collaboration involves PT Tokio Marine Indonesia, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta–Diponegoro, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Bintaro Jaya, and United Tractors. LSBA also equips participants with entrepreneurial skills so they have the option to develop activities or businesses suited to their respective abilities and interests. Meanwhile, Founder and CEO of LSPR Institute Prita Kemal Gani said the independence of individuals with special needs can be built through various pathways as long as education, opportunities and a supportive environment are available. “Independence does not mean everyone must take the same path. Some can develop through the world of work, while others find their potential through entrepreneurship. The most important thing is to provide education, opportunities and an environment that allows every individual with special needs to develop their best abilities and take a role in society,” Prita explained. Prita expressed hope that LSBA Bekasi can expand collaboration between educational institutions, government, businesses, communities and families in building an increasingly inclusive ecosystem. Meanwhile, Assistant to the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Fatma Saifullah Yusuf welcomed the development of education for children with special needs, particularly those with autism, so they can receive proper education and have the opportunity to develop more independently and be accepted in society. “We welcome London School Beyond Academy in its efforts to support education for children with special needs. Indonesian education is increasingly developing, especially for autism,” Fatma said. Fatma expressed hope that the educational development can become an option for families with children with special needs to obtain further education suited to their children’s needs and potential. “This is LSBA’s answer, already two extraordinary campuses in Sudirman and Bekasi. Hopefully this becomes a place for parents who have children with special needs, especially autism, so they can receive proper education, children can be more independent and can be accepted in society. Hopefully LSBA continues to grow,” Fatma said. Reference data from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as of 12 August 2026 recorded 1,415 students with special needs in Bekasi City. Meanwhile, data from the West Java Provincial Education Office as of 29 June 2026 recorded 14 special schools, consisting of two state special schools and 12 private special schools.