Inclusion Education: The Dawn Of A New Era

Inclusion Education

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela

This profound quote has a tremendous importance in educating the children of different disabilities so as to give them the power to change their world and those of others and be a constant source of inspiration. To bring out the best in the differently abled children, inclusion education has achieved excellent results. Inclusion in education was once described as an approach wherein students with special educational needs spend most or all of their time with non-disabled students.

Now it is crucial that all policy makers, school boards, administrators, guidance counsellors, teachers, parents and students ensure inclusive practice in all aspects of educational environments. The history behind the roots of inclusion education date back to the 1950’s. At that time, it was widely believed that children with developmental disabilities could not learn. The government, therefore, accepted no responsibility for their education. Parents of children with developmental disabilities, understanding the potential of their sons and daughters to learn and grow, responded by creating their own schools in places like church basements and private homes.

Government slowly accepted responsibility for funding parent-run schools and eventually agreed that not just funding, but public schooling, should be available to children with disabilities. Although the first educational programs developed by school boards were segregated, they successfully laid the groundwork for parents and others to call for the inclusion of children in general education classes. The advocates of inclusion education believe that non inclusion hampers the social visibility, importance and causes more social stigma.

Proponents say that society accords disabled people less human dignity when they are less visible in general education classrooms. Also as the differently abled kids can intermix with their peers and to some extent lead a normal life and it has been studied that students with mental retardation who spend time among their peers show an increase in social skills and academic proficiency. 

Moreover,the typical students who are included with special needs students at a very young age have a heightened sensitivity to the challenges that others face, increased empathy and compassion, and improved leadership skills, which benefits all of society. Thus inclusion education is a win-win situation according to me  as it allows all  kinds of people to have a shot at growing and leading a normal life.

But , there have been many criticisms too. inclusion education does not acknowledge the fact most students with significant special needs require individualized instruction or highly controlled environments. Thus, general education classroom teachers often are teaching a curriculum while the special education teacher is remediating instruction at the same time. Similarly, a child with serious inattention problems may be unable to focus in a classroom that contains twenty or more active children.

It all distills down to the people involved in the process and their outlook. But according to me inclusion education  should be followed as the it benefits society as a whole . And all humans whatever their needs may be should be given the best opportunity to grow.