What is Inclusive education?
Inclusive education means that all
children, regardless of their ability level, are included in a mainstream
classroom and are taught as equals with teachers adjusting their curriculum and
teaching methodologies, so that all students benefit.
Inclusive education believes in ‘Every
child is capable of learning!’
The goal of inclusive education is to
provide a favourable and normalized learning environment for special needs
children and to provide this experience in the least restrictive environment
possible.
This can be justified legally, morally,
socio-culturally and educationally. Legally, it ensures equality of educational
opportunities and equal protection under the law. Morally, it is regarded as a
means of reducing isolation. From a socio-cultural perspective, it increases
the potential contribution of special needs individuals to society at large.
Educationally, it provides the special needs children with positive models and
reinforcements.
Teaching educators about the importance of
inclusion and how to run inclusive classroom is imperative for reaching the
goal of education for all.
We, in MLZS, believe in inclusive education
and have adopted this as part of our education system in all our schools.
Teachers in MLZS are trained in teaching
methods that include students of all ability. They are sensitive, supportive and
committed to make inclusive education successful.
We also have resource rooms with special
educators to help the regular classroom teachers with individualized education
programme for special needs children. The child gets support in the resource
room with modifications and/or accommodations in the regular classroom. Special
educators design an educational programme to meet the specific needs of the
students to maximize their learning potential .The special educator works
closely with the child’s regular classroom teacher and the parents.
Madhushree Bhat
Special Educator.
(I am working as a Special Educator in MLZS
South School from the past one year. I have completed my Post graduate Diploma
in Learning Disability from KPAMRC. I was motivated by my friend who has been a
special educator for the past 10-15 years and has seen her working with special
needs children and making a difference in their lives.)