Can Inclusive Education Really Be Good for All Kids?
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Across the world, institutions are moving toward inclusive education, a learning model in which children with special needs and typically developing children study side-by-side. It’s an admirable goal, but a divisive practice; many parents, while supporting inclusive education in theory, remain concerned: Is it possible for every child’s needs to be met? Or will some children be rushed into skills prematurely, while others are held back?
In the video below, six education experts discuss what inclusive education is, what it is not, and the benefits and drawbacks of inclusive education for students. Watch Anushri Alva, head of Adhyayan Foundation; Cyrus Vakil, principal of Bombay International School; Radhika Misquitta, director of research and outreach for Gateway School, Mumbai; Shaheen Mistri, founder and CEO of Teach for India; Nitin Patil, state commissioner, persons with disabilities, Maharashtra; and Vibha Krishnamurthy, founder and executive director of Ummeed Child Development Centre, debate and conclude that inclusive schools benefit all children and all learning needs.
Inclusive Education is not restricted to integrating children with Special Needs in regular classrooms; it’s actually about redesigning the regular school system to “include” and adapt to children with diverse needs and in so doing adopt new teaching teaching methodologies (eclectic approach to teaching), revise new ways of developing teacher education courses, making infrastructure appropriately available and thereby uplifting regular school practices and approaches.