Indonesia promotes inclusive education and family support

Indonesian officials are emphasizing the importance of inclusive and flexible learning models to support diverse student needs, particularly for underprivileged children and those with disabilities.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated that the 'Sekolah Rakyat' program must move away from uniform teaching patterns. He emphasized that accurate student assessments are critical to determining the specific educational, nurturing, and social rehabilitation support required for each child. These programs target students from low-income backgrounds based on national socio-economic data, making individualized mapping essential for effective instruction.

Complementing this, Lestari Moerdijat, Vice Chair of the MPR RI, highlighted that inclusive education must integrate family empowerment. She noted that for children with disabilities to achieve independence, government and school support must work in tandem with the family, which serves as the primary emotional and developmental environment. Moerdijat argued that policies should provide parents with the necessary information and access to services rather than leaving the responsibility solely to them.