Inclusive Education or Exclusion? The Struggle for Rights and Justice for Disabled Students in Indonesia’s Education System

Abstract

This study investigates the inclusivity of Indonesia’s education system for students with disabilities, assessing how current policies and practices uphold or hinder educational justice for disabled students. Despite Indonesia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, research reveals significant gaps between policy and practice in the inclusion of disabled students in mainstream schools. The paper uses case studies, interviews with educators and disabled students, and analysis of government policies to evaluate how schools accommodate students with disabilities. Findings show that while some urban schools have made progress in implementing inclusive education, schools in rural areas face significant barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized training for teachers, and limited resources for supporting students with disabilities. The study concludes by urging policy reforms, including better enforcement of inclusive education laws, improvements in teacher professional development, and greater investment in accessible school infrastructure to ensure that disabled students can fully participate in the educational system.