Is Inclusive Education Important?
Inclusive education is still a topic that many parents also teachers debate about. It means that students with special needs study in the same classroom as other students who don’t have special needs. Even though not everyone agrees with this idea, many studies show that children with special needs can grow and learn well in regular classroom environments when they get the right help and support. Being in an inclusive classroom helps children build friendships and feel accepted. They don’t have to worry about their disabilities or feel different from others. Kids who learn together, no matter their abilities, often have better confidence than those who are separated just because of their condition.
Some people believe that inclusive education can slow down the learning process for other students. But in reality, this can be managed by skilled teachers. When teachers know how to handle different learning needs, both children with and without special needs can learn effectively together. Besides that, children with special needs have the right to be included. Based on Indonesia’s Law No. 8 of 2016 on Disabilities1, every child has the right to get an education with other children their age and to access the same curriculum. Simply put, no school should reject a child just because of their disability.
According to Ramli (2003)2, character education means shaping students into good individuals and responsible citizens. It includes knowledge, awareness, and action, not just lessons in class, but also how schools are managed, how teachers interact, and how students participate in activities. Every part of the school community plays a role in building strong character through inclusion. So, in conclusion, inclusive education is not only about placing children with and without special needs in the same classroom. It’s about creating a space where everyone is accepted and respected. It supports equal rights, teaches moral values, and helps students grow into caring, open-minded people. That’s why I gave this essay the title “Is Inclusive Education Important?”, just as simple as because in my opinion, inclusive education truly is important. It builds not only a better school system, but also a kinder and more understanding society for the future.
By: Arifah Nurhayati
