Inclusive education

Access to education is denied to many children around the world, and efforts are being made to increase access for these children. However, some children can be particularly vulnerable to exclusion from education as a result of, for example, their religion, ethnicity, location, disability, or language. Inclusive education as an approach aims to address the learning needs of those vulnerable to marginalisation and exclusion from education, and to ensure that all children have access to appropriate and quality education. In particular, the intention of inclusive education is not to get children into mainstream education, but to transform the education system so that it responds to the needs of a diverse set of users.

The right to education has been enshrined in international agreements and instruments since the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As such, it is important that the goals and aims of inclusive education are integrated into education policy and practice if the Education for All goals are to be reached.

This key issues guide explores the definitions and meanings of inclusive education, looks at who is vulnerable to exclusion, and examines case studies and approaches to inclusive education.

What is inclusive education?

There are a number of different definitions for inclusive education. Often, discussions around inclusive education are specifically about including people with disabilities in mainstream education, whereas some are broader and include a wide range of people who are excluded from education. What exactly is meant by the term “inclusive education”?

This section of the key issues page provides recommended readings that look at the definitions and concepts of inclusive education. Recommended reading...

 

Who is excluded?

What groups are particularly vulnerable to exclusion? And what can be done to ensure they gain access to appropriate and quality education? This set of recommended readings is a collection of documents which look more closely at specific groups of children vulnerable to exclusion. Recommended reading...

 

Approaches to inclusive education

What is the best approach for ensuring education is inclusive? How can we learn from previous experience? This set of recommended readings is a selection of case studies, manuals, and guidelines on how inclusive education approaches have been and can be applied in practice. Recommended reading...