Commission E Questions the Future of More Than 11,000 Children with Disabilities Who Are Out of School

SURABAYA — Commission E of the East Java DPRD has raised concerns over the significant number of children with disabilities who have yet to fully exercise their right to education.

According to the 2025 National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), 11,658 children with disabilities aged between 6 and 18 years have either never attended school or have dropped out.

The findings were presented by Puguh Wiji Pamungkas, spokesperson for Commission E, while delivering the commission's report on the Draft Regional Regulation concerning Accountability for the Implementation of the 2025 East Java Provincial Budget (APBD) during a plenary session of the East Java DPRD on Friday (10/07/2026).

The plenary meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the East Java DPRD and attended by the DPRD Chairman M.H. Musyafak Rouf, Deputy Chairman Hidayat, and East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono.

In its report, Commission E stated that ensuring equal access to education for children with disabilities remains a major challenge for the provincial government, despite education receiving the largest budget allocation among the commission's partner agencies.

“The fulfillment of the right to education for students with disabilities has not yet received the level of attention it deserves,” Puguh stated.

Thousands of Children with Disabilities Are Still Being Left Behind

Commission E reported that East Java is home to 1,864,301 persons with disabilities, based on the 2025 DTSEN.

Among them, 11,658 children aged 6–18 are recorded as having never attended school, being currently out of school, or having dropped out.

The commission also highlighted the shortage of Special Education Teachers (Guru Pendidikan Khusus/GPK). At present, the teacher-to-student ratio stands at approximately 1:27, far from the recommended ratio of 1:5.

“As a result, access to inclusive education services and learning assistance for students with disabilities has yet to be fully optimized,” Puguh explained.

For this reason, Commission E recommended that the East Java Provincial Government intensify efforts to guarantee the educational rights of learners with disabilities.

Expanding Inclusive Education and Increasing the Number of Special Education Teachers

Commission E further urged the provincial government to accelerate the expansion of inclusive education and strengthen Disability Service Units (ULD) across educational institutions.

The commission also called for increasing both the number and professional capacity of Special Education Teachers (GPK) to improve educational support for students with disabilities.

In addition, the DPRD recommended the provision of more accessible educational facilities, infrastructure, and learning technologies, alongside planning and budgeting processes that better reflect the needs of persons with disabilities.

Commission E also emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive and integrated student database by linking the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), the Basic Education Data System (Dapodik), and relevant databases maintained by provincial government agencies.

“Through an integrated data system, educational interventions, social assistance, healthcare services, rehabilitation, assistive devices, psychosocial support, and preparation for entry into the workforce can be delivered more accurately according to each student's individual needs,” Puguh concluded.

Education Oversight Must Reach Every Learner

Commission E emphasized that the province's substantial investment in education must be matched by meaningful improvements in the quality and accessibility of educational services for all students, including persons with disabilities.

Through these recommendations, the East Java DPRD expects the Provincial Government to accelerate the expansion of inclusive education services and ensure that no child with a disability is deprived of the fundamental right to quality education.