Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Affirms Government's Commitment to Realising Inclusive Education

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti has emphasised the government’s commitment to bolstering inclusive education to provide quality services for all the nation’s children, including pupils with special needs. Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Inclusive Education Training Programme at SMPN 16 Jakarta on Monday, Mendikdasmen Abdul Mu’ti stressed that delivering equitable educational services is a state obligation that must be fulfilled collectively for the future of the younger generation. “It is very important for us to collectively fulfil the constitutional mandate by providing quality education services for all, and by offering special services for children with special needs,” he stated. He highlighted significant societal challenges, particularly negative stigma. He noted that misconceptions still persist, viewing the conditions of children with special needs as a disgrace or divine curse, which leads to social exclusion. Currently, the number of teachers with both competence and dedication to support exceptional children remains insufficient to meet the significant increase in such pupils. To address this, the government is promoting the development of inclusive schools with four main system models: intellectual, physical, economic, and social inclusivity. These four systems are expected to create learning spaces that are friendly to all student conditions. He hopes that educational institutions can function as venues for integration where children from diverse backgrounds can interact and unite without dividing barriers. “We are promoting equitable inclusive education services to make schools and classrooms places where Indonesian children meet,” he said. He called on all parties, from communities to parents, to change perspectives and increase commitment. According to him, serving children with special needs is an extraordinary act of nobility that must be supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure.