THE URGENSI SEKOLAH LABORATORIUM BAGI PENGEMBANGAN INOVASI SISTEM PENDIDIKAN INKLUSIF DI KALIMANTAN BARAT

The implementation of Merdeka Belajar is closely related to inclusive educational system development. It is rare to find inclusive schools commencing differentiated learning applying a student-centered approach in Kalimantan Barat. The vague perceptions of the stakeholders about the road map of inclusive education as a system, along with all its potentials and hindrances, is the main reason why the inclusive educational system needs to apply better in Kalimantan Barat. Knowledge and understanding of inclusive education result in minimum development of flexible, differentiated and collaborative learning pursuits in Merdeka Belajar. This descriptive study aims to depict the urgency of laboratory schools to study and develop the innovation of an inclusive educational system in Kalimantan Barat. Online and offline Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted involving Regents/Mayors and/or Heads of Educational and Cultural Office, Headmasters, dan Teachers in 13 regencies/cities in Kalimantan Barat. The study reveals that Lab Schools applying differentiated and student-centered learning models and culture is highly urgent to exist in order to improve the quality of education in Kalimantan Barat. The Educational Board of Kalimantan Barat recommend the founding of a Lab School as a centre of study and innovation development of the inclusive educational system in Kalbar in order to manifest the collaboration of central and provincial government in extending service excellence of education to accommodate students’ diversity and to accelerate the escalation of Kalbar Human Development Index (HDI)