What is Inclusive Education & Why it Matters?
All students regardless of their abilities or disabilities, have equal access to quality education through inclusive education. It promotes diversity, acceptance, and the belief that every student can participate fully in the educational environment.
What is inclusive education? Inclusive education matters for several reasons. First, it fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance among all students. It creates an inclusive classroom environment, and students learn to appreciate and respect individual differences, promoting empathy and reducing prejudice and discrimination.
what is inclusive education?
To end the discrimination in the education system, our government designed a Right to Education (RTE) Act. Educational institutes cannot reject a child’s application on discriminatory grounds or label children. This act paved the way for inclusive education, which is a simple concept designed to ensure every child, irrespective of their background, physical & mental abilities, gender, etc., get equal treatment and learning opportunities. This approach was derived from the belief that education is every individual’s birthright, and no one should be deprived of it. When inclusive education is practiced, students start respecting their individuality, improving their emotional quotient, accepting their own and their peer’s strengths and weaknesses, and incorporating teamwork into their daily life.
All this leads to massive positive changes in their life, helping children move forward in their growth and development journey.
Benefits of Inclusive Education
We have come across many parents who ask us, ‘What is inclusive education? or ‘How is it helping their children grow?’ and many other questions. So now that the fundamentals are clear, let’s explore why schools are paying more attention to incorporating inclusive education.
Promoting Empathy & Compassion
Inclusive education helps students learn empathy and compassion by exposing them to diverse experiences and perspectives. It also enables students to develop a better understanding and appreciation of differences. Empathy and compassion are strong indicators of a high emotional quotient, which is crucial to achieving success in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
Providing Equal Opportunities
The very foundation of inclusive education is equality. The approach ensures all students, irrespective of their abilities or disabilities, get equal learning opportunities. When every student receives equal treatment and opportunities, it paves the way for a better society. Parents who want their kids to live in a prosperous and harmonious society should encourage inclusive education for their kid’s better futures.
Establishing a Sense of Belonging
One of the most vital benefits of adopting inclusive education is helping children create a sense of belonging. It makes all students feel valued and respected, creating a classroom environment where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Encouraging Positive Attitudes Towards Diversity
Leading educators worldwide are using inclusive education to foster positive attitudes among students towards diversity. It is the need of the hour in today’s multicultural society. Children who grow up in a culture of acceptance and understanding find it easier to assimilate into a diverse society. This one characteristic can make students better suitable for grabbing foreign opportunities in the future.
Developing Problem-Solving Skills
Inclusive education challenges students to think creatively and quickly adapt to different learning styles. Over a period, it develops and nurtures problem-solving skills in them, which is essential to overcome today’s complex life challenges.
Implementing Inclusive Education: The Role of the Schools
The goal of inclusive education can only be achieved when educators and parents work together. Since students spend most of their time in school, educators’ responsibilities naturally increase. Implementing inclusive education requires extensive research, plan creation, and training. The best schools are training their teachers and supporting them to create welcoming and inclusive classrooms.
The school curriculum should also be adjusted to align with every student’s learning requirements. Besides teacher training, changing the school infrastructure to accommodate all types of learners is equally important. While learning the basics around what is inclusive education is important, educators and parents shouldn’t restrict their knowledge to the basics. Exploring effective implementation techniques, learning about their role and impact on students and society, etc., are some vital consideration points. It has been seen that the schools that have adopted and implemented the inclusive education approach are providing better opportunities for their students to grow, play, and learn together.
Today, the concept of equality is valued more than ever before. As people are more concerned about giving every child equal learning opportunities, the concept of inclusive education has gained traction. Whether you’re proud parents to kids with or without special learning needs, choosing an inclusive school will play a vital role in their overall growth and success.
