Implementation of Inclusive Education in Schools Under Local Government Jurisdiction: A Study of South Kalimantan Province in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper examines the practice of inclusive education in schools under the jurisdiction of South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. According to law, the education system must be inclusive; therefore, schools are required to acknowledge all groups of kids, incorporating those with special educational needs (SEN). This study highlights the state of inclusive education in schools, which includes the implementation of its policies by school administrators, proper management by teachers, and the community’s perception. Primary data were obtained from surveys and interviews with 100 school administrators, 500 teachers, 45 parents of SEN students, and numerous stakeholders. The study shows that local government policies have resulted in the development of inclusive education in schools located in South Kalimantan. It also indicates that, most school leaders and parents of non-SEN students support its utilization in classrooms, and are willing to work with SEN students. In practice, the implementation of inclusive education varies from one school to another depending on the perceptions of administrators and the will of teachers.