Page 61 - Sportability

INCLUSION IN PRACTICE:

EXPLORING CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES IN

EDUCATION

DR SUMAN SHARMA
(TGT, Social Science)

nclusion is a process that aims to integrate every them are aware of the types of disability, related laws,
individual into mainstream society. It creates and various accommodations made available to them.
Ian environment—whether within a family or I came across many teachers who are oblivious to
the broader community—where everyone has the the term ‘disability’ and associated discourse despite
opportunity to participate in various activities based attending several seminars and workshops on inclusion
on their abilities and needs, with access to appropriate and disability in school. When enquired about the same
conditions for their development. Discrimination their response is always like school and the education
based on factors such as caste, class, physical or system cannot facilitate the and support education for
mental abilities, or language is actively discouraged. children with disability, they need a separate system to
This upholds the principles of equity and equality in thrive and grow.
society. The Salamanca Conference held in Spain in
1992) provided a framework to create an inclusive It’s interesting to note that after having an insightful
environment in society. India also upholds the discussion with me, teachers started to take inclusion
principles of inclusion and in the last decade has seriously. Though they agree that inclusion is an ideal
implemented many initiatives and Acts to achieve notion in theory, they freely confess that in reality, they
it. In this background, I attempted to understand the find it difficult to support inclusive education in their
prospect of inclusion in government schools. Although classes. One major obstacle to properly implementing
there have been lots of infrastructural improvements inclusive policies in government schools is the scarcity
across government schools there are still resource of resources. Although the majority of teachers
constraints such as limited funding to buy teaching recognize the value of inclusion, very few actively
aids, equip classrooms with smart boards, and schools promote and implement inclusive methods.
with lab facilities.
Inclusion in school: Theory vs practice
Government schools provide education to a large My discussion with teachers also brought to the fore
segment of the population. The government is currently the glaring disparity between the theoretical model
making significant efforts to enhance the quality of and practical implementation of inclusive practices in
education within these schools, particularly in the schools. In the name of inclusion, what schools or for
context of inclusion. Against this backdrop, I sought to that matter government do is construct ramps, disable
understand the perspectives of teachers and parents friendly washrooms/toilets, etc. However, Schools are
regarding disabilities and how they are navigating the regularly required by the education department to
everyday lives of children with disabilities. provide inclusive settings. Schools are required to make
sure that accessible restrooms and ramps are available
Teachers perception about disability and for children with special needs (CWSN).
inclusive practices in school
The majority of teachers I am working with think that In reality, even though many schools have built ramps
a disability is characterized by some sort of physical and restrooms, these facilities frequently fall short
or mental inability. It appears that only a handful of of the requirements. Sometimes these facilities are

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