Programme for the Development of Children's Potential (P3K-B)
Special Needs
The Need
One of the groups of people who are
marginalized in many societies, are those who are disabled or
have special learning needs. The city of Tasikmalaya has a
population of nearly 600,000 and more than 360,000 children are
enrolled in schools. Yet there is just one Special Needs School
with 103 children registered, but only 75 pupils attend
regularly.
There is a lot of stigma attached to
disabilities in Indonesia. Such children are often labeled as
‘idiots’, ‘stupid’ etc. Many parents are afraid to acknowledge
that their children have disabilities, and many times they are
hidden away from others in the community. Many attend regular
schools, again without acknowledging that they have special
learning needs. Because of the importance attached to academic
achievement and the need to pass exams in order to proceed to
the next class, school becomes very difficult for these
children. Many end up repeating classes, then eventually
dropping out with a great sense of failure. This does not even
begin to address the general learning needs that many so-called
‘normal’ children have, in reading, writing, and math.
We hope to provide educational opportunity for
children with disabilities and special needs by: focusing on
ability rather than disability, helping them function as valued
members of society, providing dignity and respect, and
supporting affected families with knowledge and skills.
A Sensory Motor Programme
will be the
foundation for this program. This is a planned, sequential and
holistic series of activities that provide support for brain
development and integration. Once the programme becomes
established, principles and training can be extended to
community health workers and people working in education.
