On September 22, 2023, our child researchers from Yogyakarta presented their research findings in front of their teachers and school foundation officials. During the presentation, the child researchers emphasized statements from special needs students who conveyed discomfort with the presence of their parents or family members as shadow teachers during class activities. This prompted a discussion involving the child researchers, mentors, and school authorities on the most effective practices to address the issue.

Derived from the outcomes of the discussion, the school authorities then amended school regulations regarding the accompaniment of family members in the school setting. Beginning in October 2023, the revised regulation prohibited higher-grade students (grades 4-6) from being accompanied by parents or family members during class activities.

On January 2, 2024, which was three months after the implementation of the new regulation, our child researchers conducted a follow-up assessment to inquire about the impact of the regulation on the students through simple interviews. The results have shown positive outcomes. Students have shared that they experience heightened happiness and comfort in the modified learning environment. The newfound independence has empowered them to explore and learn autonomously. Significantly, students have expressed a strong desire for the ongoing implementation of this regulatory adjustment in the future.

As the data collection and analysis phase concluded, a pivotal discussion unfolded with Prof. David Evans from The University of Sydney. On July 5, 2023, the Faculty of Psychology was privileged to host Prof. Evans for a transformative consultation session. Mentors from Yogyakarta and Kupang seized the opportunity to present their initial research findings, entering into a meaningful exchange with Prof. Evans, who offered valuable insights. The session expanded beyond results, delving into a discourse on the challenges of inclusive education observed during the research. Collaboratively, they explored potential avenues for future development. Prof. Evans’ visit not only enriched the ongoing project but also ignited contemplation on the dynamic landscape of inclusive education. As mentors and Prof. Evans collectively shaped the research’s trajectory, the session catalyzed inspiration, nurturing a shared commitment to advancing inclusive practices and deepening the understanding of student wellbeing in the realm of education.

During this phase, the primary school research team conducted mentoring sessions for child researchers, which were divided into three separate sessions. These sessions occurred at different times, including regular class activities, break times, and art performance rehearsals. In each session, child researchers received the following instruction: “You are allowed to explore the school environment for 5-10 minutes [adjusted]. During this time, capture images that depict happiness, joy, and cheerfulness, as well as issues, sadness, and difficulties within the school. The images can include anything – people, objects, situations, or places.” Following this activity, child researchers engaged in individual interviews and group discussions to share insights into the photos they had taken. Additionally, collaborative analyses were conducted to comprehend the findings obtained from both the images and interviews.

In contrast, the mentoring sessions for junior high school students occurred three to four times, with each photo-taking session lasting 15-20 minutes. Subsequently, individual interviews were conducted to elicit detailed descriptions of each photo, organized in turn by the students. Participants were granted the freedom to explore the school environment during the photo-taking process, capturing moments of happiness and sadness during their time at school. Interview sessions were scheduled separately based on the students’ availability and class time to minimize disruption to their learning process. This photovoice phase unfolded from April to May 2023, followed by a focus group discussion (FGD) in May. During the FGD, students deliberated on the most frequently captured photos, addressed concerns, and explored interesting images that were not selected during the individual interview sessions.

Since March 2023, 31 child and young researchers from Yogyakarta, Kupang, and Jambi have been actively involved in various stages of action research as part of the “Our (photo) Voice: Children and Young People’s Joint Action Research on Student Wellbeing for All” project. Through this project, these child and young researchers are driven to amplify their own voices and those of their peers by sharing insights into the psychological well-being of students in their schools. One of the ways they’re doing this is by showcasing their research findings in this virtual exhibition.

This virtual exhibition features over 30 images accompanied by explanations provided by our child and young researchers. Within each image, they vividly portray their experiences with inclusive education at school and shed light on the factors, both supportive and detrimental, affecting their psychological well-being in the school environment.

This virtual exhibition is open to the public and accessible at any time. We invite you to visit and immerse yourself in the voices of our young researchers!

https://www.artsteps.com/view/64ef2c058b8b54d2b4f08616