Assistance in the Implementation of Differentiated Learning and Disability Friendly Schools in Malai III Koto Kenagarian, Sungai Geringging, Padang Pariaman
Lecturers are professional educators and scientists with the main task of transforming, developing, disseminating Science and Technology through Education, Research, and Community Service (Law No. 12 of 2012). One of the tasks of lecturers in carrying out the tri dharma of higher education is community service. Community service (PkM) is an activity that aims to help the community in providing practical technical solutions to real problems that occur in the community. One of the PkM programs is the Regional Partnership Program (PKW), through this program it is hoped that universities can contribute to solving problems faced by district or city governments.
The PKW conducted by Universitas Negeri Padang lecturer, Prof. Dr. Marlina, S.Pd., M.Si is based on Permendikbudristek Number 48 of 2023 concerning Appropriate Accommodation for Learners with Disabilities in Formal Early Childhood Education Units, Basic Education, Secondary Education, and Higher Education. The consequence of the Permendikbudristek is that every district or city must have a Disability Service Unit so that every school must become an inclusive school that accepts all children without exception. Services in inclusive schools require special guidance teachers (GPK) who have academic qualifications with a bachelor's degree in special education. However, in reality not all schools have GPKs, so teachers in regular schools have difficulty in identifying, assessing and providing interventions for children with special needs in their schools. For this reason, PKW activities were carried out in the form of assistance in the implementation of differentiated learning and disability-friendly schools in Malai III Koto Village, Sungai Geringging District, Padang Pariaman Regency on August 1-2, 2024. This activity was attended by principals and teachers representing 31 elementary schools in Sungai Geringging sub-district, Padang Pariaman district, totaling 62.
The speakers for this activity were three lecturers from the Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Padang who provided material as well as assistance, namely Prof. Dr. Marlina, S.Pd., M.Si; Syari Yuliana, S.Pd., Gr., M.Pd; and Endang Sri Handayani, M.Pd. This PKW will be implemented within 2 years. The jargon of this disability-friendly activity is one for all, all for one, all empowered.
The purpose of the activities in the first year is expected that teachers have increased insights and skills about inclusive education, disability-friendly schools and differentiated learning strategies. The product of this first year activity is the data collection of children with special needs in elementary schools in Sungai Geringging sub-district.
This activity was welcomed by all participants. They were greatly helped by this activity and hope that there will be ongoing activities to assist teachers in organizing inclusive education. One of the teacher representatives, Mrs. Bainar, S.Pd, expressed her gratitude because with this activity the teachers know about inclusive education, differentiated learning and disability-friendly schools so that they will apply the knowledge they get today in their respective schools. The teachers also hope that there will be a GPK in the school. In addition, they also hope that UNP can send students from the PLB department to conduct Educational Field Practices (PLK) in schools in Sungai Geringging sub-district. Another impression from one of the school principals, Mr. Riza Wahyudi, also expressed his gratitude for the knowledge that has been obtained during this training so that it helps them in providing services for children with special needs at school so as to improve the quality of education in Sungai Geringging sub-district.
