Teacher perceptions of inclusive education training: Implementation of an inclusive elementary school mentoring program based on collaborative partnership

Abstract

This research explores teachers' perceptions of inclusive education training (a collaborative mentorship programme). The research involved 90 general teachers of inclusive elementary schools who had attended inclusive education training organized by the education office in collaboration with a university in Bogor District, West Java, Indonesia. The data were collected through Google Forms and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show three main themes: relevance, new knowledge and hope. The results of the training had a positive impact on teachers. Inclusive education training aims to improve the implementation of inclusive education in elementary schools and must be carried out continuously. The training has also increased teachers' competence and independence to develop instructional systems in inclusive classrooms. The mentoring program for inclusive elementary schools through training activities is a program that must be implemented continuously by all stakeholders including the government and universities in order to improve the quality of inclusive education in Indonesia.