Inclusive Character Education: A Critical Review of the Literature on Teachers' Experiences in Managing Classrooms with Diverse Learning Needs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i1.5295Keywords:
Character Education, Inclusive Education, Teacher Strategies, Diverse Learning NeedsAbstract
This study aims to critically examine teachers' experiences in building character education in inclusive classes inhabited by students with diverse learning needs. Using a qualitative approach with a literature review method, this study analyzed national and international scientific articles published between 2021 and 2025. Thematic analysis was used to identify experiences, strategies, and supporting and inhibiting factors in the implementation of inclusive character education. The results of the study indicate that teachers act as facilitators of values and moral agents who shape students' character through contextual approaches, local culture, habituation, and collaborative projects. The success of implementation is greatly influenced by structural support, a conducive school culture, and the involvement of the educational community. On the other hand, limited resources, lack of teacher training, and low parental involvement are the main obstacles. These findings emphasize the importance of reflective pedagogical practices, adaptive internal policies, and cross-sector collaboration as the foundation for inclusive and transformative character education.
References
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Nispiani, N., Asrin, A., & Sobri, M. (2023). The Implementation of Character Education through School Culture at Sdn 32 Cakranegara. Pendas : Scientific Journal of Basic Education, 8(1), 4699–4713. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v8i1.8087.
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Singh, A., & Pallai, P. (2023). Paving the way ahead: A systematic literature analysis of inclusive teaching practices in inclusive classrooms. Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS Journal), 27, 157–171. https://doi.org/DOI:10.7358/ecps-2023-027-sipa.
Surani, S., Darmawangsa, A., & Ardi, A. (2024). Shaping Future Leaders: Exploring Challenges and Strategies in Character Education at Madrasah Tsanawiyah. AL-ISHLAH: Journal of Education, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5236.
Suri, D., & Chandra, D. (2021). Teacher’s Strategy for Implementing Multiculturalism Education Based on Local Cultural Values and Character Building for Early Childhood Education. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 8(4), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/937.
Tuhuteru, L., Pratiwi, E. Y. R., Suryowidiyanti, T., Mahendika, D., & Abdullah, D. (2023). Strategies For Primary School Students Understanding Of Character Education Through The Active Role Of Teachers. Journal on Education, 5(4), 13569–13577. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v5i4.2365.
Vantieghem, W., Roose, I., Goosen, K., Schelfhout, W., & Van Avermaet, P. (2023). Education for all in action: Measuring teachers’ competences for inclusive education. PloS one, 18(11), e0291033. https://doi.org/DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0291033.
Wahyun, W., Rama, B., Susdiyanto, S., & Achruh, A. (2021). The Various Factors Of Supporting And Inhibiting The Implementation Of Character Education (Study at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Mamuju). Journal of Islamic Discourse, 9(3), 444. https://doi.org/10.24252/jdi.v9i3.25630.
Yulina, A., Al Asy Ary, M. H., Iqbal, M., Siregar, N. N., Hasibuan, S., & Hasibuan, T. W. (2023). Implementation of Character Education Policy at MTsN 3 Palas. Journal on Education, 5(2), 3178–3183. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v5i2.983
Azizah, W. N., & Lestari, P. (2021). Implementation of Character Education in Social Studies Learning in the Inclusion Class of SMP Negeri 39 Semarang. Sociology: Journal of Social Studies Learning, 3(1), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.15294/sosiolium.v3i1.44068.
Bindhani, S., & Gopinath, G. (2024). Inclusive Education Practices: A Review of Challenges and Successes. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(2), 1–9. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/2/17341.pdf.
Dalgaard, N. T., Bondebjerg, A., Viinholt, B. C. A., & Filges, T. (2022). The effects of inclusion on academic achievement, socioemotional development and wellbeing of children with special educational needs. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1291.
Filippou, K., Acquah, E. O., & Bengs, A. (2025). Inclusive policies and practices in higher education: A systematic literature review. Review of Education, 13(1), e70034. https://doi.org/DOI:10.1002/rev3.70034.
Islamudin, I., Hariyanto, H., Alimin, M., & Nurjanah, M. R. (2023). Local Wisdom-Based Character Education As An Effort To Establish Student With Special Needs Character. Edupedia : Journal of Islamic Education and Pedagogy Studies, 8(1), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.35316/edupedia.v8i1.2791.
Kasim, T. S. aini T., md YuSoff, Y., & manSor, F. (2021). Building Student Character through Contextual Learning Approach: Islamic Education Novice Teachers’ Experiences. Islamiyyat, 43(2), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.17576/islamiyyat-2021-4302-04.
Kudarinova, A., Autaeva, A., Paylozyan, Z., & Rymkhanova, A. (2023). Readiness of Pre-Service Teachers to Implement Inclusive Education. WISDOM, 25(1), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.24234/wisdom.v25i1.967
Lindner, K.-T., Schwab, S., Emara, M., & Avramidis, E. (2023). Do teachers favor the inclusion of all students? A systematic review of primary schoolteachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 38(6), 766–787. https://doi.org/DOI:10.1080/08856257.2023.2172894.
Majid, N., Warman, W., Wingkolatin, W., & Selvia, J. (2023). The Implementation Of Character Education On Civics Education Subject For Inclusive Students. Educational Studies: Conference Series, 2(2), 288–296. https://doi.org/10.30872/escs.v2i2.1634.
Nispiani, N., Asrin, A., & Sobri, M. (2023). The Implementation of Character Education through School Culture at Sdn 32 Cakranegara. Pendas : Scientific Journal of Basic Education, 8(1), 4699–4713. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v8i1.8087.
Sam Amir, Y., Cahyani, N., & Permana, I. (2023). Implementation of inclusive education programs for disabled students in Elementary Schools in Garut Regency, West Java. LITERAL: Disability Studies Journal, 1(02), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.62385/literal.v1i02.44.
Shutaleva, A., Martyushev, N., Nikonova, Z., Savchenko, I., Kukartsev, V., Tynchenko, V., & Tynchenko, Y. (2023). Sustainability of inclusive education in schools and higher education: Teachers and students with special educational needs. Sustainability, 15(4), 3011. https://doi.org/DOI:10.3390/su15043011.
Singh, A., & Pallai, P. (2023). Paving the way ahead: A systematic literature analysis of inclusive teaching practices in inclusive classrooms. Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS Journal), 27, 157–171. https://doi.org/DOI:10.7358/ecps-2023-027-sipa.
Surani, S., Darmawangsa, A., & Ardi, A. (2024). Shaping Future Leaders: Exploring Challenges and Strategies in Character Education at Madrasah Tsanawiyah. AL-ISHLAH: Journal of Education, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5236.
Suri, D., & Chandra, D. (2021). Teacher’s Strategy for Implementing Multiculturalism Education Based on Local Cultural Values and Character Building for Early Childhood Education. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 8(4), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/937.
Tuhuteru, L., Pratiwi, E. Y. R., Suryowidiyanti, T., Mahendika, D., & Abdullah, D. (2023). Strategies For Primary School Students Understanding Of Character Education Through The Active Role Of Teachers. Journal on Education, 5(4), 13569–13577. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v5i4.2365.
Vantieghem, W., Roose, I., Goosen, K., Schelfhout, W., & Van Avermaet, P. (2023). Education for all in action: Measuring teachers’ competences for inclusive education. PloS one, 18(11), e0291033. https://doi.org/DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0291033.
Wahyun, W., Rama, B., Susdiyanto, S., & Achruh, A. (2021). The Various Factors Of Supporting And Inhibiting The Implementation Of Character Education (Study at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Mamuju). Journal of Islamic Discourse, 9(3), 444. https://doi.org/10.24252/jdi.v9i3.25630.
Yulina, A., Al Asy Ary, M. H., Iqbal, M., Siregar, N. N., Hasibuan, S., & Hasibuan, T. W. (2023). Implementation of Character Education Policy at MTsN 3 Palas. Journal on Education, 5(2), 3178–3183. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v5i2.983
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Published
2025-05-30
How to Cite
Muhamad Rif’an. (2025). Inclusive Character Education: A Critical Review of the Literature on Teachers’ Experiences in Managing Classrooms with Diverse Learning Needs . SOSIOEDUKASI : JURNAL ILMIAH ILMU PENDIDIKAN DAN SOSIAL, 14(1), 251–259. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i1.5295
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