Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

Perspectives of Special Education Senior Assistant Teachers on Policies of Inclusive Education Programs in Schools

Mohd Afizan Zahrul, Manisah Mohd Ali

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v11-i2/13105

Open access

This study aims to explore the perspectives of Special Education Senior Assistant Teachers in terms of their knowledge, perceptions and challenges on the implementation policies of the Inclusive Education Programs (IEP) in schools. This is a case study that uses a qualitative approach involving 3 study participants who are Senior Assistant Teachers of Special Education in primary schools in Kapit, Sarawak. A set of structured interview protocol was used as the research instrument. Data from the interview was analysed verbatim. The findings show that Special Education Senior Assistant Teachers positively perceive implementing IEP's policies. This is because they feel there is not much workload support from the school community, especially school administrators and students with special needs who can learn with mainstream students. The study also found that Special Education Senior Assistant Teachers have good knowledge in the implementation of IEP's policies in schools. However, they have challenges implementing IEP policies in schools, such as lack of infrastructure facilities, teaching staff and the covid-19 pandemic. This study gives the impression that the existing IEP's policies in Malaysia have positive impact in providing quality educational opportunities, inclusive and fair to all children, especially children with disabilities.

Ahmad, N. A. (2014). Pengurusan Program Pendidikan Inklusif Bagi Murid Bermasalah Pembelajaran: Kajian Secara Naratif Inkuiri. Management Research Journal 3(1): 38–52.
Parveen, A., & Qounsar, T. (2018). Inclusive Education And The Challenges. National Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 3(2): 64-68
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339302326_Inclusive_education_and_the_challenges.
Alasim, K. (2020). Inclusion Programmes for Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Saudsi Arabia: Issues and Recommendations. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 67(6), 571–591. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2019.1628184
Amin Mohd Norliah, & Yasin, M. H. M. (2016). Pelaksanaan program pendidikan inklusif murid berkeperluan khas dalam pelan pembangunan pendidikan malaysia 2013 - 2015. Seminar Antarabangsa Pendidikan Khas Rantau Asia Tenggara Siri Ke-6, 3(January), 29–35.
Arlinwibowo, J., Retnawati, H., Kartowagiran, B., & Mustaqim, Y. (2020). Inclusion Schools in the Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia: Regulations, Facilities and Aspirations of Teachers. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 13(1), 09–19. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.9756/int-jecse/v13i1.211002
Chin, M. (2020). The Zero Reject policy: a way forward for inclusive education in Malaysia? International Journal of Inclusive Education, 0(0), 1–15. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1846800
Graham, L. J., & Spandagou, I. (2011). From Vision to reality: views of primary school principals on inclusive education in New South Wales, Australia. Disability & society, 26(2), 223-237
Harris, J. D. (2009) Elementary School Assistant Principals’ Attitudes Towards Inclusion of Special Needs Students in the General Education Setting.
Howser, D. L. (2015). A Multi-Case Study Of Secondary Principal Practices Supporting Co- Teaching In The Context Of The Least Restrictive Environment.
Kauffman, J. M., & Hornby, G. (2020). Inclusive vision versus special education reality. Education Sciences, 10(9), 1–13. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10090258
Kimbrough, R., & Mellen, K. (2012). Research summary: Perceptions of inclusion of students with disabilities in the middle school. Retrieved from http://www.amle .org/TabId/198/ArtMID/696/ArticleID/308/Research-Summary-Perceptions-of-Inclusionof-Students-with-Disabilities.aspx
Neves, L. R., Rahme, M. M. F., & Ferreira, C. M. da R. J. (2019). Special education policy and the challenges of an inclusive perspective. Educacao and Realidade, 44(1), 1–21. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-623684853
McKelvey, D. M. (2008). Relationship Between Attitudes Of School-Based Administrators And Inclusion Practices Of Students With Autism/Asperger's Syndrome
MMoE. (2013). Education (Special Education) Regulations 2013. Malaysia: Attorney General’s Chambers.
Azam, S. (2017). Program Pendidikan Inklusif Bagi Murid-murid Berkeperluan Khas di Malaysia. Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum, KPM, October.
Subbey, M. (2020). Awareness of basic school heads in Agona Swedru towards the policy of inclusive education in the Ghana Education Service. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 24(3), 341–350. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2018.1464067
Special Education Division. (2018). Garis Panduan Program Pendidikan Inklusif Murid Bekeperluan Khas. [Guidelines for the Implementation of Inclusive Education Programme for Special Educational Needs Students]. Putrajaya: Special Education Division, MMoE.
Portnoi, L. M. (2016). Policy Borrowing and Reform in Education: Globalized Processes and Local Contexts. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
Warman. (2021). Establishing the governmental policy to promote engagement within the inclusive education system in Indonesia. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 12(1), 124–148.
Yang, W., Li, H., & Ang, L. (2021). Early childhood curriculum policies and practices in Singapore: The case of glocalisation. Policy Futures in Education 19(2): 131–138.

In-Text Citation: (Zahrul & Ali, 2022)
To Cite this Article: Zahrul, M. A., & Ali, M. M. (2022). Perspectives of Special Education Senior Assistant Teachers on Policies of Inclusive Education Programs in Schools. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(2), 93–102.