FKIP – The Special Education Study Program (PLB) Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta held an international conference. This international conference was held with the big theme “Building Resilience for Sustainable Development of Special Needs Education in the Era of Society 5.0”. This activity was carried out offline at the UNS Tower and online via live broadcast on the Semar TV Youtube account on (6/6/2024).
The conference, which was held in collaboration between the PLB Study Program, the Center for Disability Studies (PSD) LPPM UNS, the Directorate of Special Education and Community Education (PMPK), and PT Bayan Resources, Tbk, collaborated with 8 countries. The eight countries included Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Australia, Romania, and the Philippines. Besides being held in the form of seminar activities, this event was also held as a moment to sign a collaboration between PSD LPPM UNS and PT Bayan Resources, Tbk. in providing educational scholarships to 20 UNS students with disabilities.
The conference was opened directly by the Director General of the Ministry of PMPK, Aswin Wihdiyanto, ST., M.A., and the Rector of UNS who was represented by Plt. vice rector 1 for academic and student affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus., M.S. In his remarks, Aswin Wihdiyanto said that for now there are still many challenges in providing access and quality of education services for friends with disabilities.
The conference was then opened by the Acting Vice Rector 1 for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S. In his remarks, Prof. Ahmad Yunus expressed his gratitude to all invited guests and speakers in the seminar activities.
“I would like to appreciate PT Bayan for collaborating with us, by providing full scholarships for 20 students for four years. This activity is the result of collaboration between the Special Education Study Program, FKIP UNS and the Directorate of Special Education and Community Education (PMPK). I would like to thank the PMPK directorate and the PLB study program at FKIP UNS for organizing this activity. Hopefully this international seminar and workshop on special education can produce strategic studies to realize the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities to work in golden Indonesia 2045,” said Prof. Ahmad Yunus.
Furthermore, in the presentation of seminar material, this conference also presented six speakers, namely Dr. Praptono, M.Ed., Prof. Hyo Jeong So., Assoc. Prof. Aurora Adina C, Ph. D., Shinsaku Namura, Aswin Wihdiyanto, ST, MA, and Dr. Fadilah UMAR, M.Or. The six speakers delivered material related to inclusive education and its various challenges.
The first speaker, Dr. Praptono, as Secretary of the Directorate General of Early Childhood Education and Basic Education, delivered material related to “Talking about the challenges of implementing 13 years of compulsory education to realize the Golden Indonesia 2045”. Dr. Praptono explained the 13 years of compulsory schooling. In this case, providing access to secondary education services needs to be done carefully and focused. Currently, our graduation rates, student participation rates, and growth participation rates are low.
The second speaker, Hyo Jeong So, delivered material related to inclusion and digital transformation in special education. The material presented included the digital transformation of special education, the current status of special education, and various challenges of special education and digital inclusion. In digital transformation, based on a survey of digital integration in schools, digital integration is important for the world of education in the future. The digital integration includes digital technology, online learning, and hybrid learning.
The third speaker, Shinsaku Nomura, delivered a presentation on addressing gaps through a holistic approach to overcome practical challenges in inclusive education in Indonesia. According to Shinsaku, there are several ways to build linkages in inclusive education in Indonesia and create capacity for stronger coordination. Each stage of education is done in different ways, starting from early childhood education, primary school, junior high school and senior high school.
The fourth speaker, Aswin Wihdiyanto, ST, MA, who was represented by his representative. Delivered material related to education for all children. In his presentation, Mr. Aswin said that education for all children includes children with disabilities through inclusive education. This inclusive education will ensure that the school environment, learning and curriculum, school buildings, classrooms, play areas, transportation, and toilets are suitable for all children at all levels.
The fifth speaker, Dr. Fadilah Umar S.Pd., M.Or., AIFO-P, CIIQA, presented material related to developing the potential of children with disabilities in paralympic sports. Dr. Fadilah said that every child with a disability has potential. Every child with a disability also does not need to be pitied because they have one goal, including in the field of sports, even being able to become an athlete.
Furthermore, the seminar was closed with the presentation of material from the sixth resource person, Prof. Aurora Adina C, Ph. D., who presented material related to teacher resilience and mental health in the context of inclusive education. Prof. Aurora said that mental health greatly affects students and the learning process in the classroom. In addition, the resilience of teachers when teaching is also very important because teachers are role models for students to learn to be more resilient, teachers can also later provide support to students.
