UNS – The Disability Studies Center (PSD) of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has deployed students to assist special needs students in inclusive schools in Surakarta. This initiative is part of implementing the International Community Partnership Program (PKMI) and includes international collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Surakarta, a child-friendly and inclusive city since 2013, is home to many inclusive schools. UKM, a Malaysian university, also focuses on developing inclusive education. PSD LPPM UNS has partnered with the Disability and Inclusive Education Service Center (PLDPI) of Surakarta, which oversees inclusive education services in the city.
Among the inclusive schools in Surakarta, elementary schools represent the largest segment, with 16 schools in total. As of 2022, there were 280 students with special needs (ABK) in these schools. One of the most pressing challenges is the shortage of Special Education Teachers (GPK) for elementary inclusive schools.
PSD LPPM UNS has identified the need for qualified GPKs as a priority issue during the PKMI implementation. These teachers require specific competencies and backgrounds in Special Education to provide appropriate services to special needs students. To address this, PSD LPPM UNS, in collaboration with its partners, offered UNS students the opportunity to intern as part of the Student Assistance Program (Program Mahasiswa Pendamping, or MAPING) for Special Needs Students in Inclusive Schools (AKSI).
The internship program, which is a form of community service, ran from July 22 to August 31, 2024. The MAPING AKSI activities took place in 16 inclusive elementary schools under PLDPI’s supervision. A total of 32 UNS students from three faculties—Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Faculty of Sports (FKOR), and Faculty of Psychology (Fapsi)—participated. These students, who were in at least their fourth semester, served as support staff for GPKs in inclusive elementary schools across Surakarta.
The internship was designed to help address challenges in providing optimal services to special needs students in the city. It also aligned with the goals of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program, allowing students to learn outside the campus. The MAPING AKSI program followed three stages: preparation, implementation, and evaluation/reporting, offering a comprehensive solution to partner institutions’ problems.
Professor Dr. Munawir Yusuf, M.Psi., Head of PSD LPPM UNS, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm shown by students and inclusive school administrators in Surakarta. He noted that this program offered UNS students invaluable experience in observing and contributing to the special needs education sector.
“I truly appreciate the high enthusiasm of the students. Alhamdulillah, I’m pleased with the feedback from the students; they all expressed satisfaction and shared many positive impressions from this internship. It’s a valuable experience for them to witness and engage firsthand with the real conditions of providing services for special needs students in schools,” Prof. Munawir said to uns.ac.id on Friday (13/9/2024).
Humas UNS
Reporter: R. P. Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
