Inclusive education, an alternative for disabled kids

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

Zafran Hafizhuddin, a special pupil at the Klampis Ngasem I state elementary school here, enthusiastically sang a dangdut song of singer Rhoma Irama when The Jakarta Post encouraged him to demonstrate his singing talent. "I want to become a singer like Rhoma, whom I often hear on the radio and TV," he said.

Even though he does not remember all the lyrics by heart, his singing ability is no doubt praiseworthy. But he does not have the chance to share it with a wider public. "I'm shy because people will surely look at me differently," said Zafran candidly. Zafran is one of the pupils who is attending an inclusive program for autistic and mentally and physically disabled children, conducted in a regular school.

The program is under the auspices of the Ministry of National Education Special Education Directorate under the Directorate General of Elementary and Middle Education as an alternative to sending children with special needs to schools for the disabled (SLB).

Director of Special Education Mudjito said that the inclusive education program would materialize this year and the Klampis Ngasem and Margorejo state elementary schools in Surabaya had been selected as models for the pilot project.

The program is intended to provide equal rights to obtaining education for disabled children.

"Both elementary schools have implemented the inclusive education method for a long period, and they are experienced in handling autistic, mentally and physically disabled children," said Mudjito on the sidelines of a meeting on special education in Surabaya recently.

Despite having been put on the agenda, most of the people in Surabaya do not know about the program. Even the Klampis Ngasem elementary school, which has implemented the program since 1989, has not publicized it widely to the public.

"We have been actively searching for disabled children who want to learn in a regular school for a long time," Klampis Ngasem elementary school principal Sukarlik told the Post.

However, many circles have criticized the program. They reasoned that special schools are more suitable for disabled children than public schools, added Sukarlik. These critics say that the program has neglected the rights of children with special needs. According to them, disabled children should have the privilege of attending special schools and not be forced to attend regular schools.

"My superior once threatened to fire me, but I remained committed to carry on with the program and I've succeeded. But, I'm not keen to promote it outside," said Sukarlik.

Sukarlik has 10 branches implementing the program in Surabaya now. All instructors and supervisors are specially trained at the Klampis Ngasem elementary school.

There are 68 disabled children out of the 545 students at the school going through the special education program, while around 150 of them are learning at the branches.

The teaching staff include special instructors, such as psychotherapists besides the regular teachers. There are 22 special teachers at the school now, with two to three disabled students under the guidance of one teacher.

Sukarlik has warmly welcomed the program initiated by the education ministry. Even though not all the disabled children can overcome their disabilities, some of the graduates have excelled in their studies and have been able to adapt socially. "I had an autistic pupil who is now studying at Dr. Soetomo University in Surabaya. He can live normally with the other students," said Sukarlik, adding that it is important for disabled children to socialize with the physically and mentally able in order to boost their morale and confidence.