PLB Guest Lecture Discusses the Implementation of Inclusive Education in Indonesia and Australia
Unesa.ac.id, SURABAYA-Implementation of inclusive education needs to be supported by a proper understanding of the essence of education. For this reason, the Special Education Study Program (PLB), Faculty of Education (FIP), Surabaya State University (UNESA) held a Guest Lecture entitled 'Reimagining Inclusive Education' at O6 PLB Building, FIP, Ketintang Campus, Monday, November 13, 2023.
The guest lecture was attended by two experts from Kangaroo Country, Prof. David Evans, Ph.D., Professor Special Education, Designation Coordinator, Special and Inclusive Education; Dr. Cathy Little, Senior Lecture, Special Education, Executive Director, Initial Teacher Education. Both are experts in inclusive education from the University of Sydney, Australia.
On that occasion, Prof. David Evans highlighted the public's view of inclusive education that is too narrow. What people see is a wrong mindset in interpreting inclusive education.
"Inclusive education is actually a fun education, an education that gives everyone the right to get an education. So there is no difference," he said.
He emphasized that inclusive education applies to all, both men and women will get the same learning rights. Not only in public schools, inclusive education can also be applied in special schools.
"In Australia we only have one curriculum for all students. Inclusive education has access to all levels of education without discrimination," she said.
Dr. Cathy Little said teachers and prospective teachers who focus on inclusive education have an important role in managing learning, presenting inclusive-friendly learning innovations, and providing equal participation to all students.
In addition, learning programs are also designed without any restrictions, and can break down biased paradigms in society. "In every lesson, there must be technology used, so that students can easily understand and interpret their knowledge," he said.
Meanwhile, Professor of the Faculty of Education of UNESA Prof. Dr. Budiyanto, M.Pd., said that people's views regarding inclusive education are still not stable. Often the differences that exist are used as a barrier in fulfilling their rights in education.
"Some say that inclusive is normal and not normal. For now, Indonesia has begun to implement inclusive education like in Australia by providing special teachers or therapists focused on the Disability Service Unit (ULB)," he explained.
In essence, continued Prof. Budiyanto, inclusive education in Indonesia cannot be changed immediately, but all through the process. So that inclusive education in Indonesia must continue to be developed from normal schools, special schools, and then inclusive schools.
"All schools in Indonesia are expected to be inclusive so that in the future there will be no stigma about which schools are inclusive and which are not. The challenge is to convince the community and the government because an understanding of the concept is needed in socializing it," he explained.
The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Budiyanto, M.Pd as Koorprodi S-2 Special Education and students of batch 2021-2023 Special Education Study Program, FIP UNESA. []
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Reporter: Chantika Toti Yuliandani
Photographer: Rendy Maulana Yaqin
Editor: @zam Alasiah*
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