Perspectives on Inclusive Education

Inclusive education means "including children with disability in regular classrooms that have been designed for children without disability". Inclusive education is about all children learning together even if they differ from each other in styles and pace of learning. It is a dynamic process because it addresses all aspects of child development - emotional, physical, intellectual, creative, social etc. It is about celebrating diversity and changing the rigid school system in order to meet the needs of all children. In an inclusive class all children are happy and participating. To make inclusive education possible, and to better accommodate students with different learning abilities, the present education system, educational structure, and educational practices need to become more flexible, more inclusive, and more collaborative. The purpose of inclusive education is not the same as for a student without SEN, that is, it is not to bring students with SEN up to the level of, or maintain their grades at the same level as, students without SEN. It is to meet the individualised goals of students with SEN, within the context of general educational settings and activities.