Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) says that every person with a disability has the right to “inclusive, quality and free” education on an equal basis with other children, no matter their disability, gender, race and socio-economic and cultural background.
Inclusive education is an approach in which all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, are provided with the opportunity to receive education within the regular school system. In such a system:
Children with and without disabilities learn together in the same classes at their local school, sharing the learning environment with their peers.
Each student receives additional and individualized support as needed, enabling them to participate fully in the classroom alongside their peers with or without disabilities.
The classroom fosters a sense of belonging for all students, creating a supportive and inclusive community.
The curriculum is taught in a manner that ensures comprehension and engagement for every student.
Cooperation and support among students are emphasized over competition.
Teachers are equipped with training that caters to diverse learning styles, accommodating the needs of all students.
Smaller class sizes are implemented to maintain a high standard of education for every student.
Children with disabilities are not excluded, segregated, or treated differently; they feel safe and welcomed in the school environment.
The perspectives of children with disabilities and their families are highly regarded and taken into consideration.
Inclusive schools embrace and welcome everyone, promoting a culture of acceptance and rejecting exclusionary
practices.
Segregated education leads to segregated lives. When we started to promote Inclusive Education, we learned that it not only benefits children with disabilities, it provided better education for all.
