The Social Affairs Minister Proposes Collaboration with Related Ministries to Strengthen the Capacity of PwD in Special Schools

JAKARTA (19 September 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini ensures that the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) is devoted to fulfilling the rights and protection of persons with disabilities (PwD). MoSA is ready to strengthen the institutional role of special schools (SLB) through collaboration with related ministries.

The problems faced by PwD, including the role of special schools, are highly complicated and fraught with difficulties. Therefore, the Minister advocated working with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbud) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).

Collaboration aims to improve the effectiveness of SLB students' capacity development. "Frankly, I'm not at the level of taking over because the costs would be very large. However, in certain areas, for example, life skills, we can help, and MoSA can intervene. So, in addition to learning like other children, we can provide life skills at school," remarked the Minister in Jakarta on Monday (18/9).

This discussion arose at the Minister's working meeting with Commission VIII last Thursday (14/9) at Parliament. The Minister had expressed her intention to discuss with the Kemdikbud's Minister Nadiem Makarim and the Kemenag's Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas regarding the handling of children in SLB.

This topic was presented during the working meeting by a member of Commission VIII DPR Nanang Samodra. This member of the Democratic Faction outlined the challenges of meeting PwD’s needs in Lombok Utara Regency.

The Minister held the same opinion about this comment. She feels that PwD have unique needs that necessitate a specific approach. Her suggestion to engage with relevant ministries is intended to optimize the fulfillment of their needs and rights.

However, since MoSA’s job does not involve schooling, the Minister said that her party would assist children according to their disability needs. Risma also plans to integrate a curriculum that teaches students with impairments to be more autonomous and follows them until they graduate from school.

"I want the children in SLB to be independent, at least for their own activities, when they leave (graduate from education). Because each PwD's treatment is unique, they require their own treatment. It cannot be generalized," she explained.

In comparison to the MoSA's Integrated Centers/Centres, she said, children with impairments who have dropped out of school or have not continued their education have been trained in skills to prepare them for continuing their lives.

So, regarding this collaboration, the Minister is focused on measures to better treat PwD.

"If we handle it properly, many of them will be empowered. We have many examples; we teach them daily living activities; we train their life skills until they are empowered and able to continue living as a result of their capacity development," she said.