Bali declare itself as a province of inclusive education so that disable children will be able to study at regular schools with friends of their age.

Deputy Governor of Bali Ketut Sudikerta when delivering a speech at the declaration in Denpasar, on Monday asserted that Bali provincial government is committed and ready to become the Province of Inclusive Education.

According to him, the commitment is quite reasonable because it is based on the number of positive responses and support from all ranks of the provincial, regencies / city, district, school, community leaders, including from the Parliament.

“The implementation of inclusive education aims to implement the vision of multicultural education that can help students appreciate other people of different ethnic, cultural, personality and values of physical and psychological functioning,” said Sudikerta.

On the occasion, the Minister of Education and Culture Anis Baswedan, in a speech read by the Director General of Basic Education, Achmad Jazidie congratulated Bali Province which is the ninth province in Indonesia that have declared themselves as the Province of Inclusive Education.

According to him, access to education is the right of every citizen in Indonesia. The teachers and principals are required to have innovation in the development of education in Indonesia.

Achmad in the event also handed a plaque “Province of Inclusive Education”.

Meanwhile Head of Education, Youth and Sport of Bali Province, Tjokorda Istri Agung (TIA) Kusuma Wardhani as chairman of the committee reported that there are currently 90 regular schools in Bali which have implement inclusive education, consisting of 39 primary schools, 28 junior high schools,13 senior high schools and 10 vocational schools.

“In these schools, there are 1,052 students with special needs. To realize this declaration commitment, then further Bali Provincial Government issued a circular on inclusive education services, and has held socialization about it,” said TIA.

On the show there was performance of colossal Pendet danced by children with special needs as well as the music player, and craft booths by SLB (school of special needs) throughout Bali.