Posted on : 8th May 2023

The Meaning of Inclusive Education for All Stakeholders

The term "inclusive" has been gaining popularity in the 21st century for some time now. It covers all spheres of human existence, but the values of inclusive education top the list perhaps. There is no clearly defined meaning of inclusive education. Even so, the purpose of the value of education should be all-inclusive, there is no doubt about that. The question is, How can education be made inclusive of everyone's needs? And why inclusivity is important? 

Inclusivity in education is important for the holistic development of not only children with disabilities but also neurotypical children, parents, teachers, schools, society, and our country. 

There is a lot more to it than meets the eye. 

The role of inclusive education goes beyond classrooms and schools. Education is the foundation of every individual and every country, so it has a major part to play in how individuals and countries take shape. Socio-economic benefits cannot be sidelined when discussing the purpose of the value of education. 

Inclusivity means that every person has access to opportunities and resources like everyone else. 

Inclusivity goes beyond the boundaries of disabilities, language, class, beliefs, gender, and age. It goes beyond every kind of boundary that discriminates between people and segregates them.

The values of inclusive education reside in the fact that all children have the chance to study in regular classrooms. It is high time that our educational institutions started to adopt this model and take the necessary steps because it can mean the world to the progress of our country where everyone is empowered to make contributions to the best of their abilities. 

There is great depth in the meaning of inclusive education if we decide to explore the concept. Suffice it to say that inclusivity has the power to change this world. 

The advantages of inclusive education 

Inclusive education is conducive to the best outcomes for every stakeholder. Let us discuss some of those. 

Children with disabilities: When children with disabilities get to study in regular classrooms, it prepares them for the real world much better. They get to interact with different kinds of people and explore their own selves in a process that is beyond the social stigma of disabilities.

Neurotypical children: The values of inclusive education for neurotypical children are many. Sensitivity gets ingrained in children from the very beginning, and rather than seeing children with disabilities as "the other", acceptance becomes the norm and capabilities become the focal point. 

Parents: Parents worry the most for their children with and without disabilities when there is a social stigma attached to disabilities and other forms of discrimination. This is why inclusivity is important. It enables them to see their children from their parental perspective rather than a societal perspective that is unfortunately judgemental oftentimes. 

Teachers: Things get a little complicated at the beginning while introducing inclusivity in the classroom, but as teachers adapt to this approach through training and support, they are sure to witness increased learning outcomes in students and more active learning. 

Schools: Schools are the microcosm of the world we are living in, albeit in a different setting. When this setting is made as inclusive as possible, schools become pioneering in the formation of a better world. And that's the ultimate aim of the purpose of the value of education, isn't it? 

Society: The meaning of inclusive education pertains more to society than anything else. "What will society think" is the question that has pervaded humanity for centuries, more so when dealing with disabilities. Inclusive education has the power to change society and make it revel in diversity and differences. 

Country: When people are put first before their differences or disabilities, when people are assessed and empowered in terms of their capabilities, and when people are made self-reliant rather than dependent, the country always stands to benefit in the long run.

The requirements of inclusive education 

Accessibility is the key to inclusivity. School infrastructure should be such that it supports every person. There should be ramps and accessible toilets for the physically challenged, for example, and easily navigable spaces for the visually challenged. The advantages of inclusive education should reach out in every way possible. 

Teachers should be provided regular training for dealing with every student's needs. They should be upgraded when it comes to inclusive instructional methods and the best extracurricular activities. Groups of students should be made by the teachers such that each one learns from the other. 

Learning modules and curriculum are also areas of concern.

Final thoughts 
Schools should understand that partial inclusion can open the door to full inclusion. We just need to get started. This might be uncharted territory in our country, but it is what makes the journey more wholesome. The meaning of inclusive education is all out there for us to explore in our own unique and innovative ways.

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