When education does not differentiate students' backgrounds

Rows of award certificates adorn the walls of a room that is not particularly spacious, yet feels cool and comfortable, conveying an impression of neatness, order, and the struggle behind each achievement.

The placement of award certificates on the predominantly white walls is certainly not merely decorative, but rather serves as visible proof of recognition for achievements that can be seen at any time while in the room.

This is the scene in the head teacher’s office at State Junior High School (SMPN) 15 Yogyakarta, one of the educational institutions with a child-friendly designation in the city known as the city of education.

Among the certificates on display is an award from the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, presenting the Anugerah Anak Jogja Award in the Best Child-Friendly School/Madrasah category to SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta for its services in child protection efforts in DIY.

Additionally, there is an award certificate from the Regional Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAID) of Yogyakarta City to SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta as the winner of the Child-Friendly School category in the Child Protection and Rights Fulfilment Award (KPAID Award).

Not to be outdone, an award certificate from the Yogyakarta City Education Office for being the best in the Healthy School Competition (SLS) at the Yogyakarta level adds to the list of achievements in creating a child-friendly and comfortable school for students.

A child-friendly school, according to the head teacher of SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta, Drs Siswanto, is fundamentally an inclusive education or learning system.

“Inclusive education is education that does not differentiate based on sex, character, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and everything else. And all of that can be facilitated here in learning,” he said.

For Siswanto, the essence of the child-friendly school concept actually lies in learning, namely how the school or educational institution can facilitate all children regardless of their background.

Whatever their background, SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta has facilitated them, including children with special needs or disabilities who are accepted each year under a certain quota through the disability pathway in the new student admission selection (SPMB).

Safe school environment

Although located in the city centre, precisely on Jalan Tegal Lempuyangan, Danurejan, the school is not situated directly on the main road, but on a side street branching west from the main road, before the Lempuyangan Bridge when coming from the south.

The school building, on land owned by the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat covering 10,615 square metres, is surrounded by a green perimeter wall, which generally signifies tranquillity, natural freshness, and balance.

Upon entering the school gate, a security post stands with an officer who is alert and greets visitors warmly when they arrive during teaching and learning activities, making security at the school a priority.