Ensuring Social Inclusion and Quality in Learning of Children with Special Needs through Inclusive Teacher Education

Abstract

Education acts as an instrument of Socialization, helping the individual to internalize the structures and processes of society and learn those skills and attitudes, which will enable him to take a meaningful place in society and contribute to its well being. Also, it helps in developing the capacity for critical thinking hence becomes a catalyst for social change. What happens in a situation, if the education does not reach all? You would agree that there is a global concern on ‘Education for All’ without compromising the quality. With this comes a challenging task to respond to wide array of students with different needs .At the school level, inclusive education seeks to address the learning needs of all with a specific focus on those who are marginalized due to some disability. The regular schools with inclusive orientation are the most effective means of combating discrimination, creating welcoming communities, building an inclusive society and achieving education for all (UNESCO, 1994). This has further restated in World Education Forum that school should accommodate all children regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic and other conditions, (Dakar, 2000). Also, the Indian National Policy on Education (1986) and National Curriculum Framework for school education (2000) emphasized the need for integration of all children with special needs in the regular schools.