Cada uno sigue su camino: percepción del alumnado de centros de educación especial sobre las relaciones interpersonales con sus iguales

Ensuring inclusive, quality education poses a challenge for the education system. In recent years, educational progress has been made to ensure that the right to education of certain groups, such as students with special educational needs, is not violated. However, schooling models that segregate students based on their abilities persist. To understand this reality, it is essential to listen to the voices of the true protagonists. The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of students in special education centers in the Region of Murcia (Spain) regarding the quality of their interpersonal relationships with their peers, both in special education centers and in mainstream schools. To this end, a qualitative phenomenological design was used through semi-structured interviews with 36 students enrolled in special education centers. The results revealed different perceptions, demonstrating the impact of the quality of the relationships they establish on their sense of belonging to the group. Based on the findings of this study, it has been possible to identify some of the aspects that hinder the creation of strong interpersonal bonds and reflect on the socio-educational implications necessary to foster quality relationships and, consequently, improve the educational and social inclusion of all students.