Inclusive Education: Navigating the Implementation and Challenges Among Public Elementary Teachers in Las Piñas City, Philippines
Jocel Ann B. Jimenez
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
This study examined the level of implementation and challenges of inclusive education among
public elementary school teachers in the DepEd Division of Las Piñas City. A quantitative research design
was used, with data collected from 251 teachers through structured questionnaires and selected via simple
random sampling. The findings indicate a high level of inclusive education implementation, particularly in
physical infrastructure, teacher attitudes, awareness, and policies. However, significant challenges remain,
such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher biases, lack of awareness, and inconsistent policies. Age
significantly influenced the level of implementation, while teaching experience affected the challenges
encountered. A weak positive correlation was observed between implementation levels and challenges. To
address these issues, the "Inclusive Education Excellence Initiative (IEEI)" was proposed, focusing on
professional development, infrastructure improvement, and fostering inclusivity. Recommendations
include targeted training for younger teachers, expanding current initiatives, and developing
comprehensive support systems.
References:
- Adu, E. (2021). The challenges of inclusive education and its implementation in schools: The South African perspective. Perspectives in Education, 39(2), 225-238. https://doi.org/10.18820/2519593x/pie.v39.i2.16
- Andrews, D., Walton, E., & Osman, R. (2019). Constraints to the implementation of inclusive teaching: A cultural historical activity theory approach. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 25(13), 1508-1523. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2019.1620880
- Annah, N. T., Ooko, M., & Aluko, R. (2023). Exploring challenges experienced by teachers in implementing inclusive education in classrooms: A South African perspective. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 10(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v10i2p1
- Anshory, A. M., & Amelia, D. J. (2020). Problematics of inclusive schools at the elementary school level. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 507, 325-328. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.201017.072
- Arnaiz Sánchez, P., De Haro-Rodríguez, R., & Maldonado Martínez, R. M. (2019). Barriers to student learning and participation in an inclusive school as perceived by future education professionals. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 8(1), 10-24. https://doi.org/10.7821/NAER.2019.1.321
- Asfaruddin, K., Yahya, M., Bustamam, N., & Bakar, A. (2021). Teacher obstacles in implementing inclusive education at schools in Banda Aceh. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Science, Technology, and Modern Society, 576, 476-478. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210909.101
- Bradshaw, L., & Rose, J. (2021). Support and supervision for teachers implementing inclusive education: Challenges and recommendations. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 36(2), 187-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1872846
- Calderón-Almendros, I., Ainscow, M., Bersanelli, S., & Molina-Toledo, P. (2020). Educational inclusion and equity in Latin America: An analysis of the challenges. PROSPECTS, 49(2), 169-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09501-1
- Aligada-Halal, C.N., Yuzon, M.R., Padilla, C.R., Carmelita, C., Ligon, M., & Pawilen, G. (2020). Foundations of Inclusive and Special Education (1st Edition). Manila, Philippines, Rex Books Store.
- Dela Peña, K. (2023, March 22). Zero budget for special education in 2023 makes SPED law ‘meaningless’. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1674980/zero-budget-for-special-education-in-2023-makes-sped-law-meaningless
- Ediyanto, E., Ramadhani, R. S., Fitrasari, B. D., Kenila, E., Sunandar, A., Hastuti, W., & Suhendri, S. (2023). The problems in the implementation of inclusive education in primary schools. Journal of ICSAR, 7(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.17977/um005v7i12023p1
- Ferraioli, S. J., & Harris, S. L. (2019). Comparative effects of interventions for inclusive education of children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(7), 3013-3026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04008-9
- Jannah, I., & Hermanto, H. (2022). Implementation of inclusive education at elementary schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. Jurnal Prima Edukasia, 10(2), 171-179. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpe.v10i2.48884
- Johnson, S. H. (2023). The role of teacher self-efficacy in the implementation of inclusive practices. Journal of School Leadership, 33(4), 516-534. https://doi.org/10.1177/10526846231174147
- Koliqi, D., & Zabeli, N. (2021). Identification of factors affecting elementary teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion in Kosovo: The role of demographic variables. Education and New Developments, 0(0), 00-00. https://doi.org/10.36315/2021end062
- Lakkala, S., Juškevičienė, A., Česnavičienė, J., Poteliūnienė, S., Ustilaitė, S., & Uusiautti, S. (2019). Implementing inclusive education in Lithuania: What are the main challenges according to teachers’ experiences? Acta Paedagogica Vilnensia, 43, 37–56. https://doi.org/10.15388/actpaed.43.3
- Makuya, D., & Sedibe, M. (2021). Exploring the challenges that are faced by teachers in the implementation of inclusive education at Grade 9 level in Gauteng North District schools in South Africa. Interchange, 52(4), 561-576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-021-09429-1
- Mertens, D. M., Sullivan, M., & Stace, H. (2020). Inclusive education: Approaches, scope, and implications. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 24(5), 447-465. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2018.1545871
- Negara, C. K., Agustini, D., & Adnyani, L. D. S. (2021). The perception of foreign language students toward the implementation of inclusive education. Journal of Research on English and Language Learning, 2(2), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.33474/j-reall.v2i2.10235
- Putri, M. S., & Ain, S. Q. (2022). Teacher readiness in handling inclusive students in elementary school. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 6(2), 197–203. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v6i2.46845
- Safrizal, S., Yulia, R., & Jumiarti, D. (2022). School readiness analysis to implement an inclusive education policy: A case study at elementary school. Jurnal Penelitian dan Evaluasi Pendidikan, 26(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.21831/pep.v26i1.45294
- Sanahuja, A., Moliner, O., & Moliner, L. (2020). Inclusive and democratic practices in primary school classrooms: A multiple case study in Spain. Educational Research, 62(1), 111-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2020.1716631
- Sydoriv, S. (2022). Pre-service training of elementary school teachers for the organization of inclusive learning environment. Journal of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 9(1), 169–179. https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnu.9.1.169-179
- Valdivieso, P. (2020). School leaders and inclusive education in Peru: A case study of principal leadership in an effective inclusive school. International Journal of Innovative Business Strategies, 6(2), 453-461. https://doi.org/10.20533/IJIBS.2046.3626.2020.0058
- Waddington, E. M., & Reed, P. (2019). The impact of using digital technology on the inclusion of students with autism in mainstream schools. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(10), 3656-3670. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04099-8.
- Zakiah, W. G., Karsidi, R., & Yusuf, M. (2021). The implementation of inclusive educational policies in elementary school. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 54(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.23887/JPP.V54I1.32210
Full Text:
Note: Kindly Login or Register to gain access to this article.
ISSN 2984-8385 (Online)
ISSN 2984-8288 (Print)