"Students with Disabilities in an Equal Classroom"…Lee Yong-chang, Incheon City Councilor, Passes Ordinance to Strengthen 'Inclusive Education'

The institutional framework for guaranteeing the right to education for students with disabilities in the Incheon area is expected to become more robust. This is because the support system for 'inclusive education' that allows students with disabilities to interact with their peers without discrimination in regular schools has been concretized.

According to the Incheon City Council Education Committee on the 29th, the 'Partial Amendment Ordinance for the Promotion of Special Education by the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education,' proposed by Councilor Lee Yong-chang (People Power Party, Seo-gu 2), passed the review of the relevant standing committee as originally proposed.

The core of this amendment is to solidify 'inclusive education' so that special education recipients are not marginalized in regular school settings.

First, the ordinance clearly defines the roles of the education superintendent and school principals for inclusive education. Additionally, it mandates that the basic plan for promoting special education must include △smooth operation methods for inclusive education △operation of special education support centers △support measures for special education recipients and their families, thereby enhancing its enforceability.

Beyond simple policy establishment, grounds for practical environmental improvements have also been prepared. It specifies that the education superintendent can promote facility enhancement projects for the mobility convenience of special education recipients and expand related service support.

The passage of this ordinance is evaluated as a result of Councilor Lee's emphasis on 'field-centered governance.' Councilor Lee has been directly listening to the difficulties in the field, such as promising to strengthen support for students with disabilities during a visit to Seohui School, a special school, last March.

Councilor Lee Yong-chang stated, "We must minimize the inconveniences faced by students with disabilities in school settings and create an environment where they can receive education tailored to their individual characteristics and needs," adding, "I hope this ordinance amendment will serve as a stepping stone to elevate the conditions for special education in Incheon to the next level."

He continued, "I will do my best to ensure institutional improvements to make Incheon a city of education where students with disabilities and their parents can feel safe and want to stay."