City Council Speaker Suhud Prioritizes Inclusive Education for the Disabled

Jakarta City Council Chairman, Suhud Alynudin hosted a meeting with several disability advocacy groups to address the systemic challenges in providing education for people with disabilities.

Education is a fundamental right for every citizen

During the discussion with National Disability Commission Deputy Chair Deka Kurniawan and various organization representatives, the dialogue focused on infrastructure deficiencies, school capacity limits, and the critical shortage of special education teachers.

Suhud listened directly to the concerns of institution managers, highlighting a particularly pressing issue: the long waiting lists for prospective students with special needs due to a lack of classrooms, facilities, and overall school capacity.

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He emphasized that these conditions must be addressed immediately to ensure that every child with a disability has an equal opportunity to receive a proper and high-quality education.

"Education is a fundamental right for every citizen, including our fellow citizens with disabilities. Hence, the issues of limited classrooms, facilities, and educators must become a collective priority to ensure that no child is deprived of the opportunity to attend school," he expressed, Thursday (8/6).

Suhud highlighted that Jakarta is actively paving the way for a more inclusive city. Under Bylaw No. 4/2022, the Jakarta government has solidified its dedication to protecting and upholding the rights of people with disabilities. Practical initiatives, like the Jakarta Disability Card (KPDJ), are already making a tangible difference by opening up broader access to various public services across the capital.

However, Suhud emphasized that the implementation of these policies must be further reinforced. Expanding infrastructure, enhancing service quality, and meeting the demand for special education teachers are critical steps toward achieving truly inclusive education in the capital.

"Our existing regulations provide a strong foundation. The next challenge is to ensure that their execution translates into tangible benefits for the community through the expansion of facilities, improved educational standards, and the fulfillment of the need for special education teachers," he added.

He hoped that this meeting serves as a first step toward delivering concrete solutions through synergy between the City Council, the Jakarta government, the National Disability Commission, and all related stakeholders.

"Let us work together to build an increasingly inclusive Jakarta by ensuring that every child with a disability receives equal learning opportunities, adequate facilities, and high-quality education services. The support of all parties will be the key to realizing fair and inclusive education for all Jakarta residents," he concluded.

Key attendees at the meeting included Ismunawaroh (Executive Director of Cagar Foundation), Handry Fahmi Muzahal (Mitra Ananda Elok Foundation), Dedi Supriadi (Coordinator of PUSKOD), and Deka Kurniawan (Deputy Chair of the National Disability Commission).