Meaning, Scope, Need and Importance of inclusive education

Meaning of inclusive education

The word “inclusion” means the practice of including a person in group activities so that he can get access to all the opportunities like any other member of the group.In other words inclusion is the acceptance of all type of learners whether disabled, Non disabled, gifted, backward, maladjusted etc. 

After knowing the meaning of inclusion let us discuss the concept of inclusive education.

What is Inclusive education ?

inclusive education means providing equal opportunities to all the learners whether disabled or disabled in a regular classroom setting. In an inclusion setting all students learn together and main emphasis is on the abilities of the learners rather than disabilities. In inclusive education all the learners equally participate in curricular and co curricular activities. In an inclusive environment children with special needs spend most of their time with normal children. 

 Definition of inclusive education:

According to national commission of special needs in education and training (NCSNET), Inclusive education is defined as a learning environment that promotes the full personal, academic and professional development of all learners irrespective of race, class, gender, disability, religion, sexual preference, learning styles and language.

According to the Centre for Studies in Inclusive education (CSIE), learning can only be fully effective if it is inclusive.

Scope of inclusive education

Inclusion in education demands an inclusive society, an inclusive school, an inclusive teacher, and an inclusive curriculum. Thus, the scope of inclusive education is wider.

The following points cover the scope of inclusive education:

1. Involve all children, i.e., normal children, children with illness, children of migrant labourers, children from tribal areas etc.

2. Inclusive education provides a friendly environment for all the learners.

3. promote education for disabled girls.

4. promote ICT-based technologies for disabled learners.

5. Include a curriculum adaptation strategy.

6. Need-based education is provided to all learners.

7. Special programmes to be run by the school for disabled learners

8. Aids and equipment are to be provided to the disabled learners so that their basic needs can be fulfilled.

Need and importance of inclusive education 

Qualitative education is more beneficial than quantitative education. Inclusive education is necessary to bring quality in education. Quality education is possible if equal educational opportunities are provided to all learners. Following are the points which indicates the need and important of inclusive education:

1. Development of skills: 

Inclusive environment helps to develop the various skills in learners such as cooperative skills, tolerance etc. Students may know about each other’s personality in an inclusive environment.

 

2. Development of confidence: 

Inclusive education provides the least restrictive environment for disabled learners where they can easily share their views with other children and can participate in activities like normal children. As a result, it aids in the development of confidence in disabled students.

3. Development of society: 

society develops with the strengthening of the capacity of the education system. The improvement of the educational system is made possible by inclusive education. With better education system, the growth of students takes place in a better way and they can have a positive impact on society.

4. Development of nation: 

With Marginalisation, poverty and discrimination, the development of a nation is very difficult. All these factors can be eliminated by inclusive education so that the progress of the nation takes place in a good way.

5. Development of self concept: 

Inclusive education helps to develop the self concept in the learners. With the development of self concept learners can easily understand themselves. They can know about their strengths and weaknesses. 

6. Universalisation of education: 

Inclusive education is needed to achieve the universalisation of education. According to sarva sikhaya abhiyan (SSA): Universalisation of education can not be achieved without the inclusion. 

7. To achieve social equality: 

inclusive education is needed to achieve social equality.Inclusive education provides equal opportunities to all learners. In an inclusive environment all the learners whether disabled or non disabled enjoy equal opportunities and responsibilities .Thus, inclusive education helps to achieve equality in society.